10 minutes left in my day....
Contemplating
What I will do when I get home?
Should I continue this blog in my after holiday frame of mind or will that spoil it?
If I have a computer at home will I blonk all night long.....
Who knows.
Schools out.
Time to contemplate on the train.
Then on the couch.
Then in bed.
Comtemplating is a full time job.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
3-1=thirty one
A year ago I was panicking about turning 30.........well where did that year go.....crikey 31 already, it came around so fast I didnt have time to worry! BUT fortunately for me the weeks leading up to it have been brilliant, they have made me feel youthful and fun loving, contented and very fortunate, so thankful for who I am, what I have accomplished, experiences I have had and friends I have made. Life is great so why worry right, why not just carry on this fabulous journey without a second thought. So I am and wow - W-O-W.
Indulging is such an amazing pleasure, i just do it in excess, poor me. I spent my 31st hopping from winery to winery in the Niagara region, certainly not as beautiful as other wine regions around the world, and they do charge per tasting, BUT the reason you do this in Canada is for their very delicious ice wines. Your taste buds come alive, they fall in love, they dance with joy as the beverage runs across your tongue and down your throat really slowly. By the time i made it to the hotel I was marinating in this fruity, exquisite syrup so much so my eyes were rolling......
Then I entered my hotel room at the Marriott, a Niagara Falls View room with hot tub....thought I deserved the best and ice wine makes you believe you are so very worth it, it was very impressive. The Falls are all lit up at night, 15 floors up, another bottle in hand.....why go down in the cold, get soaked by the mist when I can sit by a huge window, sip wine by a fire place and enjoy it from above. Even from my hot tub I could see the mist.....
Then just to top off it all I headed to the Day Spa, and this hot young masseuse worked away all the worries buried deep down inside me.......OMG I love a good massage......i hate it when they tell you its over and the hr feels like 5 mins but when you try to get up and walk you realise just how long and sensational it really must have been.
So I staggered like a zombie back up to my room with a king size bed, one of those special ones that have the heavenly mattresses.......had another glass of wine and passed out!
Too many pleasures are killer!!
Indulging is such an amazing pleasure, i just do it in excess, poor me. I spent my 31st hopping from winery to winery in the Niagara region, certainly not as beautiful as other wine regions around the world, and they do charge per tasting, BUT the reason you do this in Canada is for their very delicious ice wines. Your taste buds come alive, they fall in love, they dance with joy as the beverage runs across your tongue and down your throat really slowly. By the time i made it to the hotel I was marinating in this fruity, exquisite syrup so much so my eyes were rolling......
Then I entered my hotel room at the Marriott, a Niagara Falls View room with hot tub....thought I deserved the best and ice wine makes you believe you are so very worth it, it was very impressive. The Falls are all lit up at night, 15 floors up, another bottle in hand.....why go down in the cold, get soaked by the mist when I can sit by a huge window, sip wine by a fire place and enjoy it from above. Even from my hot tub I could see the mist.....
Then just to top off it all I headed to the Day Spa, and this hot young masseuse worked away all the worries buried deep down inside me.......OMG I love a good massage......i hate it when they tell you its over and the hr feels like 5 mins but when you try to get up and walk you realise just how long and sensational it really must have been.
So I staggered like a zombie back up to my room with a king size bed, one of those special ones that have the heavenly mattresses.......had another glass of wine and passed out!
Too many pleasures are killer!!Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Accident Prone
I am not much fun today, everytime I move I groan, I feel like I have been hit by a truck.
Yesterday I went to The Blue Mountains in Ontario to ski, up bright and early, beautiful clear day, warm in the sun. 2hrs drive from Toronto with my Tim Hortons Coffee and cream cheese bagel, new ski pants on, pumped to get up the slopes again. Hired boots and skis that actually fit and gee did it make a difference. Up and down, round and round I went, slope after slope, greens, blues, blacks.......it was great. Made it to 6pm without a fall. Had a nice warm hot chocolate before heading out for 4 more hrs of night skiing.......things had iced up a lot since the temperature had dropped and the sun had set, thats fine I was used to worse conditions in Whistler. The runs were no where near as difficult either as the terrain isnt as mountainous. So I was attempting to get down a black run called 'Willys', it was about a 45 degree angle and virtually all ice. I edged my way down sideways past the steepest bit and just let myself slide, no dramas, then skied accross to the opposite side of the slope where Teddy was filming my slow decent. I made it, the worst part over, we are standing off to the side for about 10 sec when I hear a boarder start coming down, I look up just as Teddy yells "HEADS' - the boarder was out of control sliding down the hill backwards picking up speed fast (Teddy reckons 30kms per hr) -within I split second I had been swept up off my skis and thrown down the hill 20 feet landing smack on my back all twisted up. It was a total blur, a whole bunch of white and I thought I was gone. Then the pain kicked in. I instantly wiggled my toes worried the worst was possible, they wiggled, thank god, fingers worked, nothing felt broken but I couldnt move. Fortunately ski patrol had witnessed the whole thing and were there in a flash, first aid was called and a sled arranged. I had a pain running up and down my right leg and I couldnt stop my leg from shaking. I couldnt speak, the guy was talking at me, 'whats your name?' how old are you?' shocked when I said 30, all the attention was getting to me, I lost it, the shaking turned to convulsing, the tears rolled, I was put into a sled face first, strapped in and dragged down the hill behind a snow boarder. I was so fearful of the sled, especially going down head first.....My skis were confiscated, I was interregated about what happened, given the once over and allowed to rest. I have to say the people working there were very professional and efficient, they cover themselves on all bases. The guy who ploughed into me was so sorry and stayed with me til I was given the all clear. I am just thankful I didnt hurt myself badly. I am black and blue. I am tender and aching. BUT I will live and soldier on. I will just be a very crippled old woman one day.
Yesterday I went to The Blue Mountains in Ontario to ski, up bright and early, beautiful clear day, warm in the sun. 2hrs drive from Toronto with my Tim Hortons Coffee and cream cheese bagel, new ski pants on, pumped to get up the slopes again. Hired boots and skis that actually fit and gee did it make a difference. Up and down, round and round I went, slope after slope, greens, blues, blacks.......it was great. Made it to 6pm without a fall. Had a nice warm hot chocolate before heading out for 4 more hrs of night skiing.......things had iced up a lot since the temperature had dropped and the sun had set, thats fine I was used to worse conditions in Whistler. The runs were no where near as difficult either as the terrain isnt as mountainous. So I was attempting to get down a black run called 'Willys', it was about a 45 degree angle and virtually all ice. I edged my way down sideways past the steepest bit and just let myself slide, no dramas, then skied accross to the opposite side of the slope where Teddy was filming my slow decent. I made it, the worst part over, we are standing off to the side for about 10 sec when I hear a boarder start coming down, I look up just as Teddy yells "HEADS' - the boarder was out of control sliding down the hill backwards picking up speed fast (Teddy reckons 30kms per hr) -within I split second I had been swept up off my skis and thrown down the hill 20 feet landing smack on my back all twisted up. It was a total blur, a whole bunch of white and I thought I was gone. Then the pain kicked in. I instantly wiggled my toes worried the worst was possible, they wiggled, thank god, fingers worked, nothing felt broken but I couldnt move. Fortunately ski patrol had witnessed the whole thing and were there in a flash, first aid was called and a sled arranged. I had a pain running up and down my right leg and I couldnt stop my leg from shaking. I couldnt speak, the guy was talking at me, 'whats your name?' how old are you?' shocked when I said 30, all the attention was getting to me, I lost it, the shaking turned to convulsing, the tears rolled, I was put into a sled face first, strapped in and dragged down the hill behind a snow boarder. I was so fearful of the sled, especially going down head first.....My skis were confiscated, I was interregated about what happened, given the once over and allowed to rest. I have to say the people working there were very professional and efficient, they cover themselves on all bases. The guy who ploughed into me was so sorry and stayed with me til I was given the all clear. I am just thankful I didnt hurt myself badly. I am black and blue. I am tender and aching. BUT I will live and soldier on. I will just be a very crippled old woman one day.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Dog Attack
Last night I went to a UFC Fight Party, there was dip and baby carrotts, chocolate cake, chips, 1.5L of sav blanc and buff men on the big screen. I am not usually a fight fan, but since arriving in Toronto and hanging out with mainly men I have had no choice in my tv viewing, sport sport or discovery channel. So admitedly I got caught up in the hype for the big fight between Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn. For those that dont know UFC its professiona fighting of all forms in one ring, majority fight style is Jujitsu, Wrestling or Kickboxing. It is a strange sport as the guys get in some real akward positions and its almost sexual at points.......anyway.
I watched the lead up fights too. Pretty horrible to watch but you still find yourself supporting someone. I was supporting Georges, the Frenchie, cut like you wouldnt believe, he kicked BJs butt. So anyway I am enjoying myself being a good sport following Aussie. The Fight finishes and the ice hockey match is put back on. I have been talking to the dog, a boxer, who has been sitting near me all night and as I bend down to pat her she goes for my left eye...........its scared the bejesus out of me, left a small scratch under my eye and I have a very tender eye socket this morning. I feel like I have been in a fight between the 1.5L of wine and the damn dog.
So there I am been attacked by this horrible dog for no reason, and I freaked out. I tried so hard to hold it in, but i could feel my body starting to convulse, my lower lip trembled, the tears welled.........after that there was no going back. I had to get away from this dog, I had the worst anxiety and I guess I had a panic attack of sorts as I couldnt breathe. I went outside hoping the freezing cold would shock me back to normality but I was a lost cause. So the big fight night came to a close with Georges winning, the token aussie chick bawling and the people who put on the party feeling mildly embarrassed that their dog had caused such a drama.
I watched the lead up fights too. Pretty horrible to watch but you still find yourself supporting someone. I was supporting Georges, the Frenchie, cut like you wouldnt believe, he kicked BJs butt. So anyway I am enjoying myself being a good sport following Aussie. The Fight finishes and the ice hockey match is put back on. I have been talking to the dog, a boxer, who has been sitting near me all night and as I bend down to pat her she goes for my left eye...........its scared the bejesus out of me, left a small scratch under my eye and I have a very tender eye socket this morning. I feel like I have been in a fight between the 1.5L of wine and the damn dog.
So there I am been attacked by this horrible dog for no reason, and I freaked out. I tried so hard to hold it in, but i could feel my body starting to convulse, my lower lip trembled, the tears welled.........after that there was no going back. I had to get away from this dog, I had the worst anxiety and I guess I had a panic attack of sorts as I couldnt breathe. I went outside hoping the freezing cold would shock me back to normality but I was a lost cause. So the big fight night came to a close with Georges winning, the token aussie chick bawling and the people who put on the party feeling mildly embarrassed that their dog had caused such a drama.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Confronting Fear
Today I confronted my only fear head on - SNAKES!
It was not planned, had it been planned i would not have been able to do it.
Ever since travelling through AFRICA and having some close calls with snakes I have had nightmares frequently, waking in wet sheets and feeling anxiety all day. People say snakes are a good sign in dreams, NOT as far as I am concerned. I dream of albino Mambas chasing me down and swollowing me whole, I stay alive in their stomach as the acid eats through me....
Zombie dreams I love, snakes i simply can not do.
Today I was told by my friend that he had a new business and we needed to tend to it......he is in the reptile business it turns out and owns 25 snakes, all different kinds of pythons. All of which he had to take out and clean and feed.......I had no say in the matter.....there was no where to go unless I wanted to stand outside and freeze to death.
I felt so stressed, probably as stressed as the live rats we fed them.....
Snakes (shiver), just writing this makes me have to stop and breath deeply.........
Tonight will be a long sweaty night, some thrashing involved and a long grumpy day tomorrow.
It was not planned, had it been planned i would not have been able to do it.
Ever since travelling through AFRICA and having some close calls with snakes I have had nightmares frequently, waking in wet sheets and feeling anxiety all day. People say snakes are a good sign in dreams, NOT as far as I am concerned. I dream of albino Mambas chasing me down and swollowing me whole, I stay alive in their stomach as the acid eats through me....
Zombie dreams I love, snakes i simply can not do.
Today I was told by my friend that he had a new business and we needed to tend to it......he is in the reptile business it turns out and owns 25 snakes, all different kinds of pythons. All of which he had to take out and clean and feed.......I had no say in the matter.....there was no where to go unless I wanted to stand outside and freeze to death.
I felt so stressed, probably as stressed as the live rats we fed them.....
Snakes (shiver), just writing this makes me have to stop and breath deeply.........
Tonight will be a long sweaty night, some thrashing involved and a long grumpy day tomorrow.
Avoiding Dinner Time
Many of you will be in shock to read I have been avoiding dinner!!
Me making an effort not to eat - yeah right.
Well its not so much the food as sitting down to consume it I hate.
Travelling alone means dining alone majority of the time - its an awful experience at the best of times, but when you have to try and firstly find a decent restuarant, reasonably priced in a foreign destination it really sucks!!
I find myself walking the streets, finding a problem with every menu I read just to prolong the sitting down and eating......
I ofen end up in a Japanese restuarnt so I can sit at the sushi train and not look and feel like such a Nigel..... or I end up at a vending machine eating yet another giant twix!
I have to say though, of all the meals I have eaten out here in Canada I have yet have a dining experience that I would recommend to anyone. We are so spoilt in Australia!!
Me making an effort not to eat - yeah right.
Well its not so much the food as sitting down to consume it I hate.
Travelling alone means dining alone majority of the time - its an awful experience at the best of times, but when you have to try and firstly find a decent restuarant, reasonably priced in a foreign destination it really sucks!!
I find myself walking the streets, finding a problem with every menu I read just to prolong the sitting down and eating......
I ofen end up in a Japanese restuarnt so I can sit at the sushi train and not look and feel like such a Nigel..... or I end up at a vending machine eating yet another giant twix!
I have to say though, of all the meals I have eaten out here in Canada I have yet have a dining experience that I would recommend to anyone. We are so spoilt in Australia!!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Dog Sledding
Just as my bruised ass crack is recovering, I now have a new injury, a massive bump on my forehead where I got totally whipped by the dog sled rope, it sounded like my skull cracked and by golly did it hurt. On a positive note I was extremely tired last night and slept for 12 hrs. So now I am a egg head and will wear my 'took' (beanie) permanently until it goes down!
Dog sledding was loads of fun though, you get to hang with the dogs before you head off and they are pretty big scary looking dogs, some are wolf like with blue eyes, some look more like a dingo and others are those big bear dogs.......but so cute and cuddly. You end up laying in the snow with them licking you and play fighting...... BUT they are super keen to get out and start running, so they howl, and talk, and scream and bark until you get underway.
We did get a brief rundown on how to drive the sled and there were a lot of rules, and terms and recommendations but I was too side tracked by the dogs to pay attention. So when the owner said I was up first I totally shat myself, felt the anxiety kick in and on I hopped. Managed to stay on, even over the big bumps and down hills...had to jump off and run a bit to catch up but it was so cool. The dogs love it, they hate it when you make them stop so they can wee and poo, cos the last thing you want when you are sitting in the sled it their crap being flicked back into your face. The shards of ice are pretty bad when you are trying to film. So anyway I hope I got some great shots, took some film footage although it may make you sick to watch as I dont have a steady hand.......will post later when I have a faster computer.
If you ever get the chance give it a go, it was much more intense than I though it would be, 7 dogs all able to pull 500 pound that love to run and run and run tied to a sled that can go pretty damn fast. If you let go that thing keeps going and going and going!!
Dog sledding was loads of fun though, you get to hang with the dogs before you head off and they are pretty big scary looking dogs, some are wolf like with blue eyes, some look more like a dingo and others are those big bear dogs.......but so cute and cuddly. You end up laying in the snow with them licking you and play fighting...... BUT they are super keen to get out and start running, so they howl, and talk, and scream and bark until you get underway.
We did get a brief rundown on how to drive the sled and there were a lot of rules, and terms and recommendations but I was too side tracked by the dogs to pay attention. So when the owner said I was up first I totally shat myself, felt the anxiety kick in and on I hopped. Managed to stay on, even over the big bumps and down hills...had to jump off and run a bit to catch up but it was so cool. The dogs love it, they hate it when you make them stop so they can wee and poo, cos the last thing you want when you are sitting in the sled it their crap being flicked back into your face. The shards of ice are pretty bad when you are trying to film. So anyway I hope I got some great shots, took some film footage although it may make you sick to watch as I dont have a steady hand.......will post later when I have a faster computer.
If you ever get the chance give it a go, it was much more intense than I though it would be, 7 dogs all able to pull 500 pound that love to run and run and run tied to a sled that can go pretty damn fast. If you let go that thing keeps going and going and going!!
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