Is it just me or are the olympics getting worse every time? And I'm not refering to the chainlink fences or the potentially toxic snow preserving chemicals or the failed grandstands. I'm referring to how we react to the olympics as a nation. Since when did Canada become such a nasty country? Or is putting our nastiness on display a good thing for it's honesty?
I try to avoid Olympic coverage when I can but like Christmas it's not possible to avoid it completely. What is bothering me is the obsession with medals, medals, medals. The early coverage was all about how we aren't winning enough medals. Failure, waste of money and all that. Now it's all about the golds. Even Rex is not immune - on cross country check up this week the question is "if the men fail to win olympic hockey gold make this olympics a failure?"
At least when I was a kid Canada was proud of you just for being an Olympic athlete and the guys in the orange blazers would rave about a 12th place finish if it was a personal best or Canadian record. Do they still do that? Or is the depressed/angry highlight coverage about our inability to emulate Australia in 2000 representative of the regular programming?
Personally, our record gold medal haul is not making me proud to be a Canadian. I'm just saddened about how we seem to be adopting all the worst traits of our chest thumping southern neighbours.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Physh Camp 2010 update
As if there wasn't already enough excitement surrounding Physh Camp 2010 what with travelling to a new area of the park and earlier than ever in the season the 2010 edition will feature a special guest star!
The organizing committee has received word that in a reverse George Elson the expedition will be bringing a Labrador native guide on our Algonquin trip. This modern day Labradorian will regale us all with tales of derring do from a real wilderness and provide displays of woodcraft. So bring your notebooks lads!
(Lets hope the trip results are also a reverse)
The organizing committee has received word that in a reverse George Elson the expedition will be bringing a Labrador native guide on our Algonquin trip. This modern day Labradorian will regale us all with tales of derring do from a real wilderness and provide displays of woodcraft. So bring your notebooks lads!
(Lets hope the trip results are also a reverse)
Monday, February 22, 2010
Right next door to hell
It's a good thing Toronto doesn't get any snow. I got on the bus 20 minutes ago and we have almost covered the 1.2 kms down Yongue Street to the 401. If it stays like this I'm looking at a 13 hour bus ride. Nah, if it's like that I'll get off at Yorkdale and catch a movie - presuming the theater is still open.
In reality though from what I've seen Hogtown doesn't get much snow. But don't get to thinking the weather here is good or anything. It's better than Sin City but that's like saying being stabbed is less painful than being shot. In fact I think the garbage weather is one reason no one here owns any decent winter clothing - they never go outside except to run from one door to the next.
Being a good Canadian (don't tell anyone) every morning I listen to the radio for the weather to know how to dress for the day. It's always some variation on minus two with a windchll of minus ten, or minus five in downtown with a windchill of minus 29. While the Big Smoke may not be hell on earth it's close enough that every day we feel the icy blasts. (Editor's note: In Inuit tradition hell is a frozen wasteland) So the reason there is no snow is that it all blowsaway.
Actually the highway is heavily salted and we are making good time. With any luck my connecting bus will be late and I won't have missed it. My connection is at the massive Square One Mall that is the epicentre of downtown Mississauga and a monument to why consumerism is wrong. 500 stores, ninety percent of them dedicated to telling the ladies that they are ugly if they don't buy this. And this. And that other thing. Not that Yorkdale is any better (it might actually be worse).
Anyway it all makes me think of this aboriginal comedian I saw on TV once. He had this little bit about how the only land in all of Ontario that is not currently subject to a land claim is downtown Toronto. He figured that when the first Europeans showed up and asked the natives where was a good place to settle the natives said, "Well the neighbourhood's pretty crowded alraeaqdy but nobody's living in that stinking swamp over there."
Not so any more...
In reality though from what I've seen Hogtown doesn't get much snow. But don't get to thinking the weather here is good or anything. It's better than Sin City but that's like saying being stabbed is less painful than being shot. In fact I think the garbage weather is one reason no one here owns any decent winter clothing - they never go outside except to run from one door to the next.
Being a good Canadian (don't tell anyone) every morning I listen to the radio for the weather to know how to dress for the day. It's always some variation on minus two with a windchll of minus ten, or minus five in downtown with a windchill of minus 29. While the Big Smoke may not be hell on earth it's close enough that every day we feel the icy blasts. (Editor's note: In Inuit tradition hell is a frozen wasteland) So the reason there is no snow is that it all blowsaway.
Actually the highway is heavily salted and we are making good time. With any luck my connecting bus will be late and I won't have missed it. My connection is at the massive Square One Mall that is the epicentre of downtown Mississauga and a monument to why consumerism is wrong. 500 stores, ninety percent of them dedicated to telling the ladies that they are ugly if they don't buy this. And this. And that other thing. Not that Yorkdale is any better (it might actually be worse).
Anyway it all makes me think of this aboriginal comedian I saw on TV once. He had this little bit about how the only land in all of Ontario that is not currently subject to a land claim is downtown Toronto. He figured that when the first Europeans showed up and asked the natives where was a good place to settle the natives said, "Well the neighbourhood's pretty crowded alraeaqdy but nobody's living in that stinking swamp over there."
Not so any more...
Friday, February 19, 2010
Seven week itch
Here are the week seven numbers
……………………………………shmuck……….…..athlete
Weight………………………….190.8………..………190.6
Body Fat %........................20.0………………..12.1
Water %...........................54.3………………….58.6
Muscle Mass………………….145.2…………………159.4
Basal Metabolic Rate………2022………………..2203
Metabolic age…………………34……………………..13
Bone Mass……………………….7.6………………….8.2
So as you can see I have recovered from the Suberbowl by losing two pounds but that's about it.
I'm getting tired of posting the numbers so while I plan to stay on diet I will ramble on about other topics in the coming weeks. Unless of course there is an outpouring of reader outrage over the lack of diet data. I figure I will still try to post a monthly chart of my progress until I reach my ideal weight. For now I am still trying to get the chart to look like I want it to.
One final note on why this diet is so easy to follow:
Because this is health food. (and yes it's organically raised beef) OK one more look:
……………………………………shmuck……….…..athlete
Weight………………………….190.8………..………190.6
Body Fat %........................20.0………………..12.1
Water %...........................54.3………………….58.6
Muscle Mass………………….145.2…………………159.4
Basal Metabolic Rate………2022………………..2203
Metabolic age…………………34……………………..13
Bone Mass……………………….7.6………………….8.2
So as you can see I have recovered from the Suberbowl by losing two pounds but that's about it.
I'm getting tired of posting the numbers so while I plan to stay on diet I will ramble on about other topics in the coming weeks. Unless of course there is an outpouring of reader outrage over the lack of diet data. I figure I will still try to post a monthly chart of my progress until I reach my ideal weight. For now I am still trying to get the chart to look like I want it to.
One final note on why this diet is so easy to follow:
Because this is health food. (and yes it's organically raised beef) OK one more look:
Friday, February 12, 2010
Cheating at the Superbowl
Here are the results of my little Superbowl “cheat day” :
……………………………………shmuck……….…..athlete
Weight………………………….192.6………..………192.4
Body Fat %........................19.9………………..12.3
Water %...........................54.5………………….58.5
Muscle Mass………………….146.8…………………160.6
Basal Metabolic Rate………2045………………..2220
Metabolic age…………………34……………………..13
Bone Mass……………………….7.6………………….8.2
So I gained almost two pounds – but all of it muscle. And no, I didn’t do any exercise this week either. Given that my digestive system still feels congested I’m going to have to say the scale is confused. It knows I’m packing more mass but it’s not conductive like fat so it must be muscle? I think it’s undigested food trying to work it’s way through my system.
Others reported some intestinal discomfort as well and have questioned the validity of my all out cheat day. My thinking is/was that as a reasonably healthy adult a small cheat might be dealt with easily and not very noticeable which is why I wanted to go all out this time. Bear in mind the idea behind the diet is that constantly eating this hamster food and baby cow food never gives your natural systems a rest and hence the idea of an occasional cheat day being acceptable.
Really though from what I’ve seen so far I expect cheat days to get rarer as time goes on. This assumes of course that the enjoyment of the cheat foods continues to decline. I’ve also finally placed that “off” taste I mentioned earlier – staleness. Everything from the cheat foods categories tastes like it’s already stale and not like day old bread stale but like bread at that not quite mouldy stage stale.
……………………………………shmuck……….…..athlete
Weight………………………….192.6………..………192.4
Body Fat %........................19.9………………..12.3
Water %...........................54.5………………….58.5
Muscle Mass………………….146.8…………………160.6
Basal Metabolic Rate………2045………………..2220
Metabolic age…………………34……………………..13
Bone Mass……………………….7.6………………….8.2
So I gained almost two pounds – but all of it muscle. And no, I didn’t do any exercise this week either. Given that my digestive system still feels congested I’m going to have to say the scale is confused. It knows I’m packing more mass but it’s not conductive like fat so it must be muscle? I think it’s undigested food trying to work it’s way through my system.
Others reported some intestinal discomfort as well and have questioned the validity of my all out cheat day. My thinking is/was that as a reasonably healthy adult a small cheat might be dealt with easily and not very noticeable which is why I wanted to go all out this time. Bear in mind the idea behind the diet is that constantly eating this hamster food and baby cow food never gives your natural systems a rest and hence the idea of an occasional cheat day being acceptable.
Really though from what I’ve seen so far I expect cheat days to get rarer as time goes on. This assumes of course that the enjoyment of the cheat foods continues to decline. I’ve also finally placed that “off” taste I mentioned earlier – staleness. Everything from the cheat foods categories tastes like it’s already stale and not like day old bread stale but like bread at that not quite mouldy stage stale.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Superbowl Results
The Saints won. I ate potato chips, drank beer (four) and ate pizza. And I suffered for it.
I found the game to be not particularily exciting and with neither team having any strong hold on me I was a casual observer so I can't say an upset stomach or stress had anything do do with my digestive troubles.
Short and sweet: after five weeks on the Paleodiet it was very obvious how comparatively hard the body works when trying to process the Standard American Diet. I didn't get any headaches or anything and not even much nausea but I did get a lot of bloating and gas and it took a day and half for the swelling in my abdomen to find any relief. Curiously, even though I felt overstuffed I felt better after comsuming a small amount of Paleo complaint food (TFTS TCLG!).
What I took away from the experiment was that although the Neaderthin guy hyperbolizes the effects he is telling the truth when he says that eating grains and dairy becomes noticeably uncomfortable when you are on the Paleo-diet. The junk still tasted pretty good though.
I'm curious to see how it will affect the numbers this week.
I found the game to be not particularily exciting and with neither team having any strong hold on me I was a casual observer so I can't say an upset stomach or stress had anything do do with my digestive troubles.
Short and sweet: after five weeks on the Paleodiet it was very obvious how comparatively hard the body works when trying to process the Standard American Diet. I didn't get any headaches or anything and not even much nausea but I did get a lot of bloating and gas and it took a day and half for the swelling in my abdomen to find any relief. Curiously, even though I felt overstuffed I felt better after comsuming a small amount of Paleo complaint food (TFTS TCLG!).
What I took away from the experiment was that although the Neaderthin guy hyperbolizes the effects he is telling the truth when he says that eating grains and dairy becomes noticeably uncomfortable when you are on the Paleo-diet. The junk still tasted pretty good though.
I'm curious to see how it will affect the numbers this week.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Week 5
I totaled up the January receipts the other day. The Paleo-diet cost about 25% more than the SAD diet. The grocery bill is higher but not being able to eat out, order in or make impulse snack purchases goes a long way to equalizing the expenses. All in all for the way I feel I'm pretty convinced that Canada’s food guide to healthy eating is a page torn from the Necronomicon. Summoned from the very bowels of hell to inflict suffering on mankind. Maybe that explains all the zombies?...
I suppose the science worshipers would try to say we have learned so much since then but the reality is the nutrition people already knew better when the food guide was created. Our food pyramid is more a reflection of the fact that the prairies are no good for growing vegetables than any interest in keeping the population healthy. Now that the prairies are awash in black gold maybe it's time to spread the love and give up on the fallacy of grains as people food?
The week 5 numbers:
………………….......……Shmuck……….Athlete
Weight……………….........191.8……….191.6
Body fat %.....................20.4…………12.5
Water %.........................54.1…………58.2
Muscle Mass…….....……..145.0………159.2
Basal Metabolic Rate..…2023……….2203
Metabolic Age………......…36……………14
Bone Mass…………….........7.6………..…8.2
In five weeks I have lost 12.5 pounds, about half fat and half muscle. I’m a bit surprised at the muscle loss since it’s not like I am starving myself nor have a low protein intake. I’m never hungry and I’m probably eating more protein now than I have in a long time what with all the nuts and steaks and eggs and pork chops and jerky and chicken and turkey and roasts and bacon. I guess if I was doing some regular exercise it would be better. I also notice no loss in bone density despite not touching the dairy products that are supposed to ensure healthy bones.
BTW - had coffee this week. It did cause some mild discomfort but it was worth it. The big test is coming in 2 days.
I suppose the science worshipers would try to say we have learned so much since then but the reality is the nutrition people already knew better when the food guide was created. Our food pyramid is more a reflection of the fact that the prairies are no good for growing vegetables than any interest in keeping the population healthy. Now that the prairies are awash in black gold maybe it's time to spread the love and give up on the fallacy of grains as people food?
The week 5 numbers:
………………….......……Shmuck……….Athlete
Weight……………….........191.8……….191.6
Body fat %.....................20.4…………12.5
Water %.........................54.1…………58.2
Muscle Mass…….....……..145.0………159.2
Basal Metabolic Rate..…2023……….2203
Metabolic Age………......…36……………14
Bone Mass…………….........7.6………..…8.2
In five weeks I have lost 12.5 pounds, about half fat and half muscle. I’m a bit surprised at the muscle loss since it’s not like I am starving myself nor have a low protein intake. I’m never hungry and I’m probably eating more protein now than I have in a long time what with all the nuts and steaks and eggs and pork chops and jerky and chicken and turkey and roasts and bacon. I guess if I was doing some regular exercise it would be better. I also notice no loss in bone density despite not touching the dairy products that are supposed to ensure healthy bones.
BTW - had coffee this week. It did cause some mild discomfort but it was worth it. The big test is coming in 2 days.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Scouting report
Reservations are made, one night on Ragged Lake, May 1st and then 3 nights on Pig Pork. Here is the scouting report:
The area south of Highway 60 offers superb scenery and several good possibilities for canoe trips with relatively little portaging. While even the backcountry sections in this zone can be crowded in mid-summer we will be going in early spring so this should not be a problem.
Beautiful Smoke Lake is not considered hospitable to wilderness travelers as dozens of cottages line its shores, and motorboats of unlimited horsepower are permitted. However, the lake makes a good starting point for canoe travel south and so, is often also crowded with canoeists. The only strategy for dealing with this extreme case of cottage sprawl is to cross Smoke Lake as quickly as possible. Hopefully we can avoid the infamous Smoke Lake winds.
A steep but otherwise easy 240 m portage leads from Smoke Lake south to Ragged Lake. Although it has no cottages and powerboats are banned, the campsites on this lake are heavily used by canoeists, and in peak season it will probably be necessary to push further south to find a place to camp. Reporting indicates a nice island campsite on Archer Bay. Ragged Lake is a nice lake full of islands and bays and smallmouth bass.
The 590 m portage leading from Ragged Lake to Big Porcupine Lake has been called the "Devil's Staircase", and although it is steep, it poses no particular difficulty as the park has made it easier by constructing steps. The steps also aid in controlling the erosion of the trail. Big Porcupine is an attractive lake with many good campsites. A portage has been cut between the north and south arms of the lake, but it is easier to follow the shallow connecting channel.
The area south of Highway 60 offers superb scenery and several good possibilities for canoe trips with relatively little portaging. While even the backcountry sections in this zone can be crowded in mid-summer we will be going in early spring so this should not be a problem.
Beautiful Smoke Lake is not considered hospitable to wilderness travelers as dozens of cottages line its shores, and motorboats of unlimited horsepower are permitted. However, the lake makes a good starting point for canoe travel south and so, is often also crowded with canoeists. The only strategy for dealing with this extreme case of cottage sprawl is to cross Smoke Lake as quickly as possible. Hopefully we can avoid the infamous Smoke Lake winds.
A steep but otherwise easy 240 m portage leads from Smoke Lake south to Ragged Lake. Although it has no cottages and powerboats are banned, the campsites on this lake are heavily used by canoeists, and in peak season it will probably be necessary to push further south to find a place to camp. Reporting indicates a nice island campsite on Archer Bay. Ragged Lake is a nice lake full of islands and bays and smallmouth bass.
The 590 m portage leading from Ragged Lake to Big Porcupine Lake has been called the "Devil's Staircase", and although it is steep, it poses no particular difficulty as the park has made it easier by constructing steps. The steps also aid in controlling the erosion of the trail. Big Porcupine is an attractive lake with many good campsites. A portage has been cut between the north and south arms of the lake, but it is easier to follow the shallow connecting channel.
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