Conspiracy
So last night was paddling practice. I was really looking forward to it because I wanted to blow off some steam, and I was really feeling like working myself physically half to death. A fellow paddler came by to pick me up and we headed over to the compound. We arrived and saw that one of his friends was there.
And no one else.
So let me get this straight. It's a nice, warm evening, the practice is late enough that no one has to rush to get there... and we only have three paddlers for a six-person boat. It's not gonna happen. It's not like we arrived late and missed the practice, no, all the boats are accounted for. It's just that no one showed up. Now fine, this is an un-coached practice, and the team's leader told us that he'd be out of town for the next couple weeks... and yes, it's early in the season so people aren't quite as committed yet. But only three of us? We have at least enough people to fill three boats!
So I was upset. I ended up going to the gym instead, but a 45 minute bicep workout plus abs (which I wasn't in the mood for, so I only did half-assed) isn't quite the same as 1.5 to 2 hours of hardcore paddling to the point of near collapse and then some. Whatever, there's a coached practice on Wednesday. It had better be on.
But today I was gonna make up for it. We've had a cold snap here for the past couple weeks so I haven't wanted to ride my bike to work -- riding on big hills when there's frost and ice on the road isn't the best idea, particularly when you have Vancouver drivers to deal with. But this week the weather's gone back up to where it should be, and I can easily ride to work. I got up bright and early, ate breakfast, packed my laptop and clothes in plastic bags (in case it decides to rain), got suited up in my biking outfit, and headed out.
I hopped on my bike, rounded the corner, and cranked the gears up for some extra speed. It felt really easy -- awesome -- so I cranked it up again. Still way too easy. Up again. There's something wrong here. I looked down at my rear wheel and the chain was not in the right place. It was still hooked up properly and still turning the wheel, but it wasn't on the right gear. I tried changing the gears up and down some more. No change. I got off the bike and tried examining it. Now I admit, I don't know the first thing about bike mechanics, but I looked all along the rear gear shifter's cable, looking for loose connections or damaged components. Nothing. It all looked perfectly fine to my untrained eye, but it refused to work. The front gear changer worked fine, but I need the rear one to work too. On an hour-long bike ride, I can't be stuck in the same gear I use to start from a dead stop at intersections and to climb moderately steep hills. It just won't cut it.
So I peddled back home, put my bike away, and got ready to head to work the normal way. Without a killer cardio workout, and somewhat ticked. And of course, I was running late now because of all the extra time I'd spent on this failed cycling attempt. This also means my bike needs to go in for repairs AGAIN. Seriously, how often do gear changers need to be fixed?
There must be a conspiracy against me getting exercise. I'm not pleased.
So I was walking to the SkyTrain station and I saw someone. He's a street person that I see a lot and he always sort of gets to me. He looks a total mess as he stands there shaking uncontrollably, holding a cup and a sign that says "HIV+ and HUNGRY". I don't often give out change -- I already donate to charity through payroll deductions -- but today I just felt a pang of... something. So I emptied my pocket into his cup. He thanked me like crazy as I walked away and I smiled back at him. Now sure, he might run off in the next half hour to buy a bunch of heroin or crystal, but I'm going to pretend that he's truly and honestly in need of assistance and that I just helped put a good meal in his belly. At least that put a smile on my face for a bit.
And no one else.
So let me get this straight. It's a nice, warm evening, the practice is late enough that no one has to rush to get there... and we only have three paddlers for a six-person boat. It's not gonna happen. It's not like we arrived late and missed the practice, no, all the boats are accounted for. It's just that no one showed up. Now fine, this is an un-coached practice, and the team's leader told us that he'd be out of town for the next couple weeks... and yes, it's early in the season so people aren't quite as committed yet. But only three of us? We have at least enough people to fill three boats!
So I was upset. I ended up going to the gym instead, but a 45 minute bicep workout plus abs (which I wasn't in the mood for, so I only did half-assed) isn't quite the same as 1.5 to 2 hours of hardcore paddling to the point of near collapse and then some. Whatever, there's a coached practice on Wednesday. It had better be on.
But today I was gonna make up for it. We've had a cold snap here for the past couple weeks so I haven't wanted to ride my bike to work -- riding on big hills when there's frost and ice on the road isn't the best idea, particularly when you have Vancouver drivers to deal with. But this week the weather's gone back up to where it should be, and I can easily ride to work. I got up bright and early, ate breakfast, packed my laptop and clothes in plastic bags (in case it decides to rain), got suited up in my biking outfit, and headed out.
I hopped on my bike, rounded the corner, and cranked the gears up for some extra speed. It felt really easy -- awesome -- so I cranked it up again. Still way too easy. Up again. There's something wrong here. I looked down at my rear wheel and the chain was not in the right place. It was still hooked up properly and still turning the wheel, but it wasn't on the right gear. I tried changing the gears up and down some more. No change. I got off the bike and tried examining it. Now I admit, I don't know the first thing about bike mechanics, but I looked all along the rear gear shifter's cable, looking for loose connections or damaged components. Nothing. It all looked perfectly fine to my untrained eye, but it refused to work. The front gear changer worked fine, but I need the rear one to work too. On an hour-long bike ride, I can't be stuck in the same gear I use to start from a dead stop at intersections and to climb moderately steep hills. It just won't cut it.
So I peddled back home, put my bike away, and got ready to head to work the normal way. Without a killer cardio workout, and somewhat ticked. And of course, I was running late now because of all the extra time I'd spent on this failed cycling attempt. This also means my bike needs to go in for repairs AGAIN. Seriously, how often do gear changers need to be fixed?
There must be a conspiracy against me getting exercise. I'm not pleased.
So I was walking to the SkyTrain station and I saw someone. He's a street person that I see a lot and he always sort of gets to me. He looks a total mess as he stands there shaking uncontrollably, holding a cup and a sign that says "HIV+ and HUNGRY". I don't often give out change -- I already donate to charity through payroll deductions -- but today I just felt a pang of... something. So I emptied my pocket into his cup. He thanked me like crazy as I walked away and I smiled back at him. Now sure, he might run off in the next half hour to buy a bunch of heroin or crystal, but I'm going to pretend that he's truly and honestly in need of assistance and that I just helped put a good meal in his belly. At least that put a smile on my face for a bit.