Exercise Redux

I am not having a good day. I am worried, stressed and depressed. Which brings me to another reason why I exercise. It's not just about “building up my heart and lungs”; it's as much or more about saving my sanity ... maybe even my life.

Recently I read a “Psychology Today” article where a doctor said that when patients call him in distress he tells them to go out for a 25-minute walk and, if they still feel as badly afterwards, to call him back. Allegedly, in all his years of practicing, he's never gotten that second call.

So these days I'm literally walking for my life. I'm very fortunate and grateful to live in a place where I can walk by the water and hear the waves. I'm also lucky to have two doggies eager to accompany me and to insist I get out even if I don't quite feel like it. They're so motivating, and it's so good for me. Sometimes I'm pretty lost in my problems and don't even feel I'm noticing all the beauty around me. But somehow I think it's still sinking into my soul, calming me at least a little, at least on some level. I'm at least a tiny bit better when I get back.

I know stress is bad for you - really bad. Probably as bad as smoking or overeating or excessive drinking. And I don't cope well with it. But if I didn't have my long walks by the lake, I don't think I'd be coping at all. Exercise might not cure me, but hopefully it will keep me from deteriorating. So I aim to keep on walking for my life every single day.

Participaction!

“Exercise, exercise, what's the big attraction?
Building up your heart and lungs - that's Participaction!”

That's an old ditty I remember from childhood - and, with today's obesity epidemic among youth (well, all ages really, but it's most dire for youth), one we could all benefit from still.

I did my part today: two long walks with my doggies, more walking at the shopping centre (where, unless I'm getting very heavy or bulky things I only ever park in one spot), the usual countless trips up and downstairs, and Pilates class to cap it all off.

I got into Pilates three years ago now. The community centre had an activity evening where you had ten-minute mini-lessons in a variety of disciplines and heard what each was best suited for. I pretty much instantly knew Pilates was what I needed. It strengthens your core, which in turn influences just about every other body part. It was perfect for my chronic neck and shoulder issues.

It still is. This year was a bit of an adjustment because we got a new teacher. It took me awhile to warm up to her and adjust to her style. At the beginning I didn't think she was going to be that good or teach that much. I still think she could explain the movements better - it's a very precise discipline and they have to be done correctly - but at least I had a good foundation already. And I like that she's doing a wider variety of exercises. Some days are better than others for my neck and shoulder (and very occasionally I hurt myself enough that I need a Robaxacet the next day) but overall it's a very good thing. My neck especially has improved since I began.

So I seem to have found my exercise niche. I'm doing my bit to “participact” and I hope other people find their own activities too. It especially hurts me to see sedentary kids. They're chauffeured to school and home, aren't allowed outside to play, and are pretty much glued to screens of various types for far too long. The amount of phys. ed in schools is laughable too. I could rant on and on, but the ultimate point is that if we want a healthy future, it needs to start with healthy kids today.

If I ran a school, every single day would begin with fifteen or twenty minutes of calisthenics and I'd encourage kids to walk or bike (or rollerblade, scooter, skateboard or even ski) to school every day too. Walking to and from school took me - most kids then - at least an hour a day. (the best was in winter, when I went the whole way climbing from snowbank to snowbank - awesome! And the idea that I was “exercising” never even entered my mind.) I'm absolutely convinced that if kids had more activity in their lives there would be far less hyperactivity in the classroom. Kids are made to move; we should be taking advantage of that in every way possible before it's too late.

The Battle (of the Blades) Has Ended

The battle has ended and the warriors can retire their blades. Only, unfortunately, the result wasn't what I'd hoped. Expected, perhaps, but not hoped.

The “battle” I'm talking about is a uniquely Canadian type of warfare. It's “The Battle of the Blades” where lumbering hockey players are magically transformed into elegant ice dancers. This is the third season and I've been a fan since day one. It really is wonderful to see hockey players develop not only their skating skills but also their personalities. They become more confident, more artistic and by the end they're so good you wish they were coming on tour to your local arena.

Last season was actually my favourite. They had such a strong cast. I truly believe it wouldn't have taken that much more effort to make Valeri Bure and Ekaterina Gordeeva a genuinely competitive team, they were that good. It took a long time for viewers to warm up to them, though. They were far too frequently - and completely undeservedly - in the bottom pair, skating off for survival on Monday night. Maybe people resented Russians dominating a Canadian event. So I was really pleased that justice prevailed in the end and the best team won the prize.

I don't think that was the case tonight. My personal favourites, Marie-France Dubreuil and Bryan Berard came second, and I think that was right. It's first and third I have a problem with. I think the true winners were Tanith Belbin and Boyd Devereaux. They were elegant and talented, had a real unison and connection with each other and the audience, and really exemplified the ultimate goal of turning hockey players into figure skaters. They truly were ice dancers.

But as so often happens in the real world, showmanship won out over substance, tricks over talent, and the number one spot ended up going to Tessa Bonhomme and David Pelletier. She is the first female hockey player on the show, and I think that gave her a big fan base from the get go. And David, of course, is legend. He's massively talented ... and insanely strong. That's what they capitalised on. He could pick Tessa up, spin her around, do the kinds of things he'd spent a lifetime training for and that the hockey players could never match. His partner was almost an afterthought, a plaything.

I think Tessa was pretty brave to allow herself to be picked up and tossed around, but I don't think she really developed enough as a skater herself. In a solo she was hesitant and very mediocre. She was stiff and not particularly flexible (not even as much as some of the guys!) The moves she did attempt were basic - I could have done almost as well. So that's where my complaint lies. Yes, their routines did look quite spectacular, but it was David making Tessa look good. She didn't develop as a skater nearly as much as many of the guys. David won the competition; Tessa was a pretty postscript.

Ultimately, though, all eight pairs are winners. They all advanced their skills and performed incredibly. All their charities are winners too, because every bit of the prize money involved in the show is donated to worthy causes. And the audience members and television viewers who were treated to eight weeks of skating magic win as well. A battle with no losers; what could be more apropos, what could be more Canadian.

Paws and Pray

Paisley and I “Pawsed and Prayed” this afternoon. We both attended the monthly service for animals and their human companions at Christ Church Beaurepaire. It was our second visit. Dan and Hershey came to the previous, pet blessing service.
This month's theme was remembering our departed companions, and I remembered Perky, Nicky and Topaze. I'm positive I'm a better person because of them; they gave me so much more than they ever asked.
It was also about seeing our dear furry friends again in Heaven. There have been lots of theories and debates over that one. The gist today was that a loving God will do everything to see that you are happy in Heaven ... and if happiness for you includes Fido or Fluffy, then Fido and Fluffy will be there too. That's pretty much what I believe as well. Heaven is supposed to be perfect. Without my doggies, it just wouldn't be. If there are going to be grass and trees and buildings and streets, why wouldn't there be animals too? It only makes sense.
The corollary, of course, is that you have to make it to Heaven too or there's zero chance of reconnecting with Fido. That brings me to another point: is having an animal church service “kosher”, so to speak? I'm sure there are people who would say no. They'd say animals have no place in a house of worship and distract you from God. And Paisley was a little more active this time than last, but she certainly was less trouble than a young child. Much more importantly, she's what drew me to the service. Without her, I wouldn't have been in church at all. The whole service I could feel love emanating right through her. And isn't God love above all else? If paws help you pray, bring you closer to God, then an animal service is exactly what at least some people need.

Nostalgia Night

Saturday is my nostalgia night. I watch old shows that are like old friends and fond memories of old days.

Saturday is Britcom night on VPT and Mountain Lake PBS. I've watched Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced “Bouquet”, if you please) on “Keeping Up Appearances” for what feels like forever. I remember my dad complaining about her antics close to twenty years ago! I don't watch as many episodes as I used to - most weeks there are at least two ... both of which I'll know practically verbatim. Whenever I do, though, it brings me back to happy Saturday nights in our living room on Belmont, watching with Mommy and Daddy, and maybe Dan and Ajay too after a nice homemade pizza dinner.

More recently I've become a fan of another oldie: “As Time Goes By”. I'm appreciating it's humour more and more, and somehow I'm feeling a real affinity for the main characters, Jean and Lionel. I like the way they bicker yet have such love and tenderness underneath it. I like the quick witted verbal repartee. And I like the familiar old British expressions like “in two shakes of a lamb's tail” and “if you think --- then you've got another think coming” that I've heard all my life - and use regularly myself too.

And to start off the evening, there's “The Lawrence Welk Show”. I don't watch it every week; it's really not Dan's favourite. But if I like the theme and the songs they're going to perform, I try to get away with it. It's really an oldie. The episodes they show jump around from black and white days in the 1950's until it wound down in the early 80’s. It was in its last days when I was young and watched it with my mom. Even my parents found it kind of outdated really. I still like it though. It's so wholesome and reminds me of simpler, happier, more refined days that maybe never even existed ... but that I like to imagine did. Even their recent Halloween show was a kind of “fun” scary that I could handle. So even though I may be the only person on the planet (at least under the age of fifty - or maybe sixty or seventy) who actually voluntarily watches, I enjoy it too.

So that's my Saturday night. Not everybody's cup of tea I'm sure. Perhaps nobody else's cup of tea. But to me it's an absolutely perfect way to end the day and I couldn't think of any better or happier way to spend a Saturday evening.

Good-bye Steve, and Thank You

A little over a month ago, on October 5th, Steve Jobs left the planet at the far too young age of 56. Not that he hadn't accomplished plenty - several lifetimes worth, probably. But it's always too soon, isn't it.
I'm a relative neophyte when it comes to the world of Apple. I've never doubted that they make good products; I've just never been convinced that they make the only products worth considering. I still think my Windows laptop works just fine and that my Sony mp3 player is more versatile than an iPod (at least the regular ones; the iPod Touch is a different animal altogether). I believe too that you'll get more bang for your buck with those alternatives.
But Steve was a true visionary and, at least in the iPad, created something truly unique and magical. It, along with some of the other innovations he has introduced with the iPhone and iOS, has forever changed the way people interact with technology. I don't think it's too strong to say it is revolutionary and life-changing, at least for some people. I know I use my iPad extensively and in ways I couldn't have imagined two years ago. It's literally put computing in my hands; in fact it's almost like an extension of me! And who knows what other Jobs' inspired creations might be still under development in the Apple labs?
Apple isn't perfect; I'm often underwhelmed, even frustrated, with their tiny incremental updates - still waiting for a decent camera on the Touch, guys - but what it does, it does very, very well. I don't think Steve was a perfect person either. Like many people who accomplish great things, he was driven, obsessed, sometimes harsh, excessively competitive and, my personal pet peeve, he swore too much. (Sorry, Steve, but that instantly diminishes my respect for a person.)
I've heard it argued that it's really Bill Gates we should be worshipping since, through his various foundations, he's slowly eradicating childhood diseases, fighting poverty and fostering education in places that just wouldn't have hope otherwise. I don't want to take away from his accomplishments a whit; I think the world is more than big enough for two heroes.
Anyway, thank you Steve for all you did, for your visions and for the determination to make them reality. You were both inspired and inspiring, and I hope you're thoroughly enjoying your next big adventure. Reportedly your last words were the enthusiastic “oh wow, oh wow, oh wow!” That bodes pretty well, doesn't it.

Emily Teaches a Lesson

A few weeks ago I finished rereading (for the umpteenth time) Maud Hart Lovelace's “Emily of Deep Valley”. I'd forgotten just how good it is, and how timely even though it is set a century ago. One of the main storylines concerns Emily's involvement with the Syrian immigrant community who were being ostracised by the local townspeople.
The theme I'm interested in writing about tonight though is the depression that can come when life doesn't go quite your way. Emily was a bright girl who yearned to go to college, but couldn't leave the elderly grandfather she lived with. Rather than mope or wallow (at least too much) on life's injustices, however, she decided to make the best of her situation. She involved herself with different causes, most notably the Syrians, and continued studying and learning too. In the process she attracted a surprising number of interesting people too and found she wasn't nearly as lonely as she'd expected to be.
One quote from the book sums up at least a part of Emily's philosophy perfectly:

“We have to build our lives out of what materials we have. It's as though we were given a heap of blocks and told to build a house.”

Somehow I find that immensely comforting. Now, when I'm feeling dissatisfied with some aspect of my life, I think to myself that I just have a different pile of blocks from other people, so naturally my house will look a little different. I've had a number of constraints and responsibilities in my life that don't always feel very fair. But if I were to be completely honest, I also have a number of blessings and good things to compensate, although, like many people I don't focus on those enough. Thanks to Emily (and Maud - funny how my two most favourite authors are both Mauds), I think I've found a measure of contentment I had been lacking.

Ban the Blower

Of all the useless tools and appliances people have invented over the years, by far the biggest abomination - the one that I would banish from the planet - has got to be the ludicrous leaf blower. It creates air pollution. It produces unwanted noise pollution (especially at 7 AM, the hour I was rudely awakened to a raucous cacophony of blowers this morning). It doesn't even provide good exercise for the lazy pseudo-gardeners who wield it like a weapon of war. They think they look so rugged and tough with their mighty power packs strapped to their backs. I know they look ridiculous.

A leaf blower is just a giant outdoor vacuum, noisy and unnecessary. I'm none too fond of indoor vacuums either (why hasn't anybody ever been able to put a muffler on the things?) but I concede they serve a purpose for which no good alternative is available. Brooms and carpet sweepers just can't suck up as much dirt. Lawn mowers have their place - the scythe is a little slow for the modern world. And in snowbound regions like Quebec, a snow blower is beneficial too; shovelling is not a safe form of exercise.

But a leaf blower? It's one of those gadgets nobody really needs. Whatever happened to the noble rake? Leaves are infinitely lighter than snow and raking is a decidedly healthy activity. (And most of the people I see brandishing leaf blowers certainly look as if they could benefit from a little more physical exertion.) For that matter, if they really want to be lazy and environmentally friendly to boot, the generally agreed upon best option is to just mow your leaves into your lawn and let them turn to mulch over the winter.

So citizens of the world unite! It's time we banned the blower and restored the humble rake to its rightful place in the garden shed.

Tonight the Words Won't Come

Wow ... I don't know what to write tonight. I do have a list of ideas waiting to be explored, but somehow I don't feel as if I could do any of them justice this evening. Probably I shouldn't have left it so late - no, I definitely shouldn't have left it so late. After watching all the drama of “Glee” (plus two long walks and Pilates class and cleaning three bathrooms today) I'm mellow and droopy and decidedly unmotivated.

So I think I'll just reflect a little on how my personal “Nano”WriMo has been going. Yesterday I celebrated one full week of blogs and poems! Not all of them are great writing, but not one of them would have existed at all if I hadn't made the commitment to start. And so I have to be proud of myself. I didn't always feel like it, but I've written every single day. For me, that's a real accomplishment.

The next thing to work on, I think, should be timing. It's become my bad habit to leave the writing (especially of the blog) until late in the day - evening, actually. And nights have never been my forte. Like little Paisley, I pretty much turn off by eight. Yes, I force myself to do it, but I think I could do it even better earlier. Perhaps it wouldn't feel so much like forcing either. After all, the ultimate objective is to make writing something I actually want to do and, moreover, look forward to doing pretty much every day. So I've added a third goal: to have at least my blog done by supper time. Hopefully it will make for some better posts ... and a happier poster too.

P.S. Just for the record and posterity, my apps of choice in this endeavour are iA Writer for blog entries (and Blogsy to actually post them and add any pictures or formatting) and Pages for my poetry. And to keep track of my progress I just got HabitMaker - best monitoring app I've found yet.

iOS Woes

Well I had been having a good day. I tidied up, made applesauce and oatmeal scones, had a couple of lovely walks by the lake and a little visit with Barbara (our neighbour across the street).

All was well until this evening, in fact, when I opened up iBooks on my iPad to see what I might start reading next and discovered that my choices were rather limited. Very limited actually. They were so limited because virtually ALL my books had been DELETED! And checking iTunes on my computer didn't help much because THEY WEREN'T THERE EITHER. (Yes I need capitals; that's you I'm yelling at, Apple.)

Near as I can figure out, it's yet another iOS 5 casualty. When I upgraded a few weeks ago, I was one of the many people who lost their music. That wasn't much of a dilemma since I only had one double cd, but for others who had hundreds of albums, thousands of songs all carefully organized, it was a catastrophe.

I'm really not happy to lose my books though. I do have everything backed up on my laptop, but how am I supposed to remember which ones I had lined up and ready to read? I lost all the books I'd read too - along with all the highlights and annotations I'd made. It's not a total disaster I suppose, but it is decidedly disappointing.

The other iOS 5 issue I have is that I can't really sync properly with my iTunes anymore. Yes I can opt for the backup and sync options and they seem to work, but if I want to choose apps to sync from my itunes list, suddenly my iPad content plummets to about 3 GB from 28 GB. That means most of my apps wouldn't be syncing and I'd be spending HOURS re-downloading (assuming I could even remember which of my hundreds of apps I'd kept on the iPad itself) and MANY MORE HOURS categorising them. I'm not willing to do that; I'll just have to settle for a few missing books and songs.

So I guess I've learned a lesson I should already have known. Never Never Never take a new update right away. Let other people be the guinea pigs who find the bugs and quirks. Guess I got caught up in the heady excitement of a big new upgrade. Really, though, there is very little of benefit to me in iOS 5 - certainly nothing that could make up for the inconveniences it has caused. Sorry Apple; this time you messed up. It didn't “just work” at all.