I've been in Prince Edward Island for last five days. It's a really nice place with really nice people. Before I go much further, I should mention this is not my first trip to The Island. I should also mention that I like busy cities. That being said, I really enjoyed my time. As part of what I was doing we did some tourist type stuff.
Only in PEI would you go to a potato farm. This wasn't just any potato farm, the owner of the farm was also in a Frito-Lays commercial. It was the one where they pass a bag of chips across Canada, he's the last one to get the bag. His farm is fully automated to the point that you don't need to be in the tractor while it drives the field doing what it does. Really amazing, if you ask me.
I also ate lobster and raw oysters.This is not the first time I have had either of them but let me leave you with a piece of advice. If you haven't had any shellfish in a while, don't start with eight raw oysters. It was very tasty and it all stayed down but it wasn't without consequences. However, when you are travelling, you need to take in the local activities. The lobster, as always was great. I can't get too much lobster. I can't believe that at one time only the poorest of the poor ate lobster in Newfoundland.
People in PEI drive differently. They will stop for you no matter where you are and they are not in a rush. It's a big change from any big city. However, if you are not used to it, things are happening that you don't expect.
Overall, PEI is very quaint but the people seem really content with life. They always want to chat and will always make time for you. As well, they are a lot of fun, even if it is a bit slower pace.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Random Compliments
I like to compliment people. I probably don't do it as often as I should. As I witnessed yesterday a compliment can make you feel really good.
I was at the gym yesterday morning, doing my thing as I often do. It was nearing the end of my workout and I was riding the exercise bike while I sweated up a storm. A random guy hopped on the bike next to me and tapped me on the arm to get my attention. The following is the conversation.
Random Guy: Did you used to go to Goodlife at Rideau Centre?
Me: Yes. (At this point I'm expecting a question about why I switched.)
Random Guy: Wow, you've shredded a lot of weight. Good job.
Me: Thanks.
Random Guy: How much have you lost?
Me: About 20 pounds. (In all honesty, I don't know when he was comparing it to but I have lost 10 pounds since Christmas and 30 since moving to Ottawa so I figured 20 was a good middle ground)
Random Guy: I barely recognized you, not that I was stalking or everything, good job, keep it up.
Me: Thanks.
You may be thinking this was some creepy dude. Maybe he was but if you don't regularly use a gym for your fitness activities there are a couple of things you should know.
First, exercising is not the most mentally stimulating activity so a lot of people tend to people watch at the gym while they work out.
Second, if you go regularly at the same time, you will tend to see the same people over and over again.
If you combine the two you watch the same people over and over again as you try to get into shape.
Now, to have a random stranger compliment you is awesome. For you to do something to a level that someone you don't know and will never get anything from you to feel the need to speak up and say something is extremely motivating. I was shocked it happened to me.
So, when you are out and about and you see someone do something that impresses you, throw them a compliment. It costs you nothing and will make their day better. If everyone passed more compliments the world would be a better place.
I was at the gym yesterday morning, doing my thing as I often do. It was nearing the end of my workout and I was riding the exercise bike while I sweated up a storm. A random guy hopped on the bike next to me and tapped me on the arm to get my attention. The following is the conversation.
Random Guy: Did you used to go to Goodlife at Rideau Centre?
Me: Yes. (At this point I'm expecting a question about why I switched.)
Random Guy: Wow, you've shredded a lot of weight. Good job.
Me: Thanks.
Random Guy: How much have you lost?
Me: About 20 pounds. (In all honesty, I don't know when he was comparing it to but I have lost 10 pounds since Christmas and 30 since moving to Ottawa so I figured 20 was a good middle ground)
Random Guy: I barely recognized you, not that I was stalking or everything, good job, keep it up.
Me: Thanks.
You may be thinking this was some creepy dude. Maybe he was but if you don't regularly use a gym for your fitness activities there are a couple of things you should know.
First, exercising is not the most mentally stimulating activity so a lot of people tend to people watch at the gym while they work out.
Second, if you go regularly at the same time, you will tend to see the same people over and over again.
If you combine the two you watch the same people over and over again as you try to get into shape.
Now, to have a random stranger compliment you is awesome. For you to do something to a level that someone you don't know and will never get anything from you to feel the need to speak up and say something is extremely motivating. I was shocked it happened to me.
So, when you are out and about and you see someone do something that impresses you, throw them a compliment. It costs you nothing and will make their day better. If everyone passed more compliments the world would be a better place.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
No Coke
I love Coca-Cola. I can't deny how much I enjoy drinking it. I like it so much I even have a preferred way to drink it. Warm Coke poured out of a glass bottle over ice in a glass drinking vessel is the best way to enjoy it. Nothing beats it. I also marvel about how well Coke is designed. It is the only drink I know of that won't quench your thirst but leaves you satisfied and wanting more no matter how much you drink.
Unfortunately, as of late, I have been drinking way too much Coca-Cola.
A week ago I came to terms with this and decided I needed to stop. Let's be honest, there is nothing good about drinking Coke. A 12 oz (355 ml) can has about 10 teaspoons of sugar in it. Considering I was drinking more than a litre every day and more than two litres on many days, I was putting a lot into my body that it doesn't need. In fact, I was consuming between 5000 and 6000 Calories from Coke a week. Yes, you read that right, five-thousand to six-thousands Calories. Who needs that? I know I don't, at least not from a soft-drink.
So, while drinking Coke on my couch last Thursday I decided it was time for action. It helps that a friend pointed out my great weakness for Coke which helped with the motivation.
My plan was to start a Coke free life on Monday. I figured at some point during the week-end I would give in and drink some. It turns out I got though the week-end without any Coke. That doesn't mean there wasn't a headache or two along the way.
As the work week started, I managed to not buy any for lunch as I had been for years. This was more of a routine action than an active decision for the last while so I just had to remind myself to not grab a bottle to have at lunch. I now drink water instead.
Once the headaches subsided I started to feel better immediately. I don't feel the same bloat from all that carbonation and a couple of pounds have disappeared. I see this all as a good thing. I also burp and fart less at the gym while I'm exercising. Also good in my books.
The best part so far is I am sleeping much better. It took a bit longer for this to kick in as I'm sure there was a lot of caffeine in my body. However, I can once again get deep restful sleep. A couple of days ago I got a lot of deep restful sleep, from 8:30 pm to 6:15 am. I haven't slept like that in a long time. An interesting advantage is my mind seems to be getting sharper again. I've been feeling a bit mushy a lot of the time, probably because I haven't had a lot of good sleep but after a couple of good nights, I feel a lot sharper, a lot more like I used to. For me the sharper I feel the more positive I become and that's been improving as well.
I'm not out of the woods yet. There are some things coming up in my schedule that will test me. I just need to find a way to not give in to the cravings. I can find an alternative or change the situation, depending on what's available. There are also times that a cold Coke would taste really good, again I will have to find a way to not give in.
I realize this is a lot different that a lot of dependancy issues but as I get the evil out of my body I am realizing that the amount of Coca-Cola I was consuming was having an impact on my life. It looks like a good road forward without it.
The whole thing has been made easier by support from friends. Just knowing that someone is willing to help makes any task a lot easier.
Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't drink Coke and I'm not saying I will never have any more in my life but for the time being I can't have any delicious Coke. Even though I know it would taste great, I don't really want to have any at the moment and that's a good thing in my books.
Unfortunately, as of late, I have been drinking way too much Coca-Cola.
A week ago I came to terms with this and decided I needed to stop. Let's be honest, there is nothing good about drinking Coke. A 12 oz (355 ml) can has about 10 teaspoons of sugar in it. Considering I was drinking more than a litre every day and more than two litres on many days, I was putting a lot into my body that it doesn't need. In fact, I was consuming between 5000 and 6000 Calories from Coke a week. Yes, you read that right, five-thousand to six-thousands Calories. Who needs that? I know I don't, at least not from a soft-drink.
So, while drinking Coke on my couch last Thursday I decided it was time for action. It helps that a friend pointed out my great weakness for Coke which helped with the motivation.
My plan was to start a Coke free life on Monday. I figured at some point during the week-end I would give in and drink some. It turns out I got though the week-end without any Coke. That doesn't mean there wasn't a headache or two along the way.
As the work week started, I managed to not buy any for lunch as I had been for years. This was more of a routine action than an active decision for the last while so I just had to remind myself to not grab a bottle to have at lunch. I now drink water instead.
Once the headaches subsided I started to feel better immediately. I don't feel the same bloat from all that carbonation and a couple of pounds have disappeared. I see this all as a good thing. I also burp and fart less at the gym while I'm exercising. Also good in my books.
The best part so far is I am sleeping much better. It took a bit longer for this to kick in as I'm sure there was a lot of caffeine in my body. However, I can once again get deep restful sleep. A couple of days ago I got a lot of deep restful sleep, from 8:30 pm to 6:15 am. I haven't slept like that in a long time. An interesting advantage is my mind seems to be getting sharper again. I've been feeling a bit mushy a lot of the time, probably because I haven't had a lot of good sleep but after a couple of good nights, I feel a lot sharper, a lot more like I used to. For me the sharper I feel the more positive I become and that's been improving as well.
I'm not out of the woods yet. There are some things coming up in my schedule that will test me. I just need to find a way to not give in to the cravings. I can find an alternative or change the situation, depending on what's available. There are also times that a cold Coke would taste really good, again I will have to find a way to not give in.
I realize this is a lot different that a lot of dependancy issues but as I get the evil out of my body I am realizing that the amount of Coca-Cola I was consuming was having an impact on my life. It looks like a good road forward without it.
The whole thing has been made easier by support from friends. Just knowing that someone is willing to help makes any task a lot easier.
Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't drink Coke and I'm not saying I will never have any more in my life but for the time being I can't have any delicious Coke. Even though I know it would taste great, I don't really want to have any at the moment and that's a good thing in my books.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Flip It Over
I think a key to a happy life is to have most of the time in your life with only minor instances of unhappy moments. It's not reasonable to say every minute is going to be a 10 out of 10 but the bad times should be few and far between. If you read anything on happiness, they always tell you do what you like, enjoy the little moments, use your body as it was intended and all that stuff. It's true, that's how you should live to be happy.
For a number of reasons, I am finding the good moments are interspersed in a lot of times I want to forget. I haven't always been like this and I want to get back to how I was.
I have been a gliding instructor for a long time and I still remember one of the first things taught to me about instruction is when you debrief performance you always highlight the good, the areas to improve, and how to improve. So, lets sit down and have an old fashioned debriefing.
The Good
I have great family. Let's be honest, my parents are awesome. They are the old couple that makes you believe you can have true happiness.
I have great friends. The people I met since moving to Ottawa are great and only augment some amazing and lifelong friendships from my pre-Ontario life.
I'm healthy. I don't have much wrong with me other than the occasional bump or nick. Sometimes I enjoy beer too much and pay for it, but I can point to where the pain is coming from.
I'm fit. Almost ten years ago I made a conscious decision to exercise regularly. It has and continues to pay dividends way beyond my investment.
The Areas for Improvement
Work. I haven't been enjoying my job much as of late and it shows. There are a lot of reasons and I'm part of why it hasn't been awesome.
My Diet. I've been putting a lot of crap, including way too much Coca-Cola into my body lately. It has also become very redundant.
Everything is Unbalanced. Don't get me wrong, I love to fly airplanes but flying and dealing with flying issues has grown to a disproportionately large part of my life.
How To Improve
I can't change the mood of everyone at work. We are in a state of change and uncertainty. It is what it is but I can change my approach to it. Instead of dreading the next thing I can look to be an agent of positive change. I can approach problems as opportunities to help others, which I love to do. I can be a beacon of positive energy. I can start having fun again and find ways to laugh. I can return to the guy who doubts if we can do it and return to the guy who asks how can we make this successful. It's the only way to make it though any job.
I can change what I eat. I know I'm not going to be the guy who makes everything in a Vitamix and never indulges in unhealthy food but if I eat healthier food more often and cut the Coke out (for the record as I write this I am powering though a bit of a caffeine withdrawal headache because I haven't had any Coke for 42 hour) I will feel better. More veggies, reasonable servings of meat, and less processed food in on the horizon.
I think my balance in life will improve slowly. Part of why I have been spending so much time on aircraft stuff is I have been completing a Commercial Aeroplane Pilot Licence. The written exam is finished and the night flying is done. I have about 20 hours to go. It will take a while to get it done as I will be ramping up the flying in my day job over the summer but I think I need to change this to a journey to enjoy not a task to complete and the enjoyment will return. Once the licensing flights are done, I can fly when I want in my off-time to share with others what is so great about aviation in small planes.
I also need to do more of the things I love to do besides flying. I need to get out and take more pictures, even if it makes me seem busier, it will make me happier.
So, there it is, my personal prescription to a return to happiness. It's going to take time. It's going to take effort. It's not always going to be a smooth transition but the results are going to be worth the effort.
For a number of reasons, I am finding the good moments are interspersed in a lot of times I want to forget. I haven't always been like this and I want to get back to how I was.
I have been a gliding instructor for a long time and I still remember one of the first things taught to me about instruction is when you debrief performance you always highlight the good, the areas to improve, and how to improve. So, lets sit down and have an old fashioned debriefing.
The Good
I have great family. Let's be honest, my parents are awesome. They are the old couple that makes you believe you can have true happiness.
I have great friends. The people I met since moving to Ottawa are great and only augment some amazing and lifelong friendships from my pre-Ontario life.
I'm healthy. I don't have much wrong with me other than the occasional bump or nick. Sometimes I enjoy beer too much and pay for it, but I can point to where the pain is coming from.
I'm fit. Almost ten years ago I made a conscious decision to exercise regularly. It has and continues to pay dividends way beyond my investment.
The Areas for Improvement
Work. I haven't been enjoying my job much as of late and it shows. There are a lot of reasons and I'm part of why it hasn't been awesome.
My Diet. I've been putting a lot of crap, including way too much Coca-Cola into my body lately. It has also become very redundant.
Everything is Unbalanced. Don't get me wrong, I love to fly airplanes but flying and dealing with flying issues has grown to a disproportionately large part of my life.
How To Improve
I can't change the mood of everyone at work. We are in a state of change and uncertainty. It is what it is but I can change my approach to it. Instead of dreading the next thing I can look to be an agent of positive change. I can approach problems as opportunities to help others, which I love to do. I can be a beacon of positive energy. I can start having fun again and find ways to laugh. I can return to the guy who doubts if we can do it and return to the guy who asks how can we make this successful. It's the only way to make it though any job.
I can change what I eat. I know I'm not going to be the guy who makes everything in a Vitamix and never indulges in unhealthy food but if I eat healthier food more often and cut the Coke out (for the record as I write this I am powering though a bit of a caffeine withdrawal headache because I haven't had any Coke for 42 hour) I will feel better. More veggies, reasonable servings of meat, and less processed food in on the horizon.
I think my balance in life will improve slowly. Part of why I have been spending so much time on aircraft stuff is I have been completing a Commercial Aeroplane Pilot Licence. The written exam is finished and the night flying is done. I have about 20 hours to go. It will take a while to get it done as I will be ramping up the flying in my day job over the summer but I think I need to change this to a journey to enjoy not a task to complete and the enjoyment will return. Once the licensing flights are done, I can fly when I want in my off-time to share with others what is so great about aviation in small planes.
I also need to do more of the things I love to do besides flying. I need to get out and take more pictures, even if it makes me seem busier, it will make me happier.
So, there it is, my personal prescription to a return to happiness. It's going to take time. It's going to take effort. It's not always going to be a smooth transition but the results are going to be worth the effort.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Everything Right and Wrong with Golf
On Friday, I golfed for the first time this summer. I've been busy and time has been flying by. It was nice to get out and have some fun. It was in a best ball tournament which is a good way to start out the year. You are usually not penalized for bad shots as someone will bail you out then you will bail them out.
The good thing about golf is almost anyone can make a really good golf shot.
The bad thing about golf is almost nobody can make really good golf shots consistently.
I made a great drive on one of the holes. Off the tee box I hit it straight down the centre and it went so far the people on the green, that was over 300 yards away, looked back as the ball bounced to within 8 yards of the green.
I also made a few shots so bad it wasn't even worth trying to look for the ball.
That's where golf gets you. You make a couple of shots that will just bring you back. You have those moments that will make you feel like you should be on the tour. As quickly as it happens, you duff a couple or take an exploding diver and your ego crashes back to earth to be live amongst the mortals once again.
I like golf. I don't play as much as I should but I always seem to have fun when I do even though it can make you feel very ordinary very quickly.
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