Sunday, September 6, 2009

Hitchhiker's

I've been reading the Hitchhiker Trilogy all over again from beginning to end. I tell you, the jokes only get funnier with age. Plus it makes a lot more sense this time around.


While I was in Vancouver for Olympic Trials, I was in the process of reading a book on "optimal experience". It was an awesome book, but it wasn't giving me any “down” time away from skating or trials. I would pick up the book and start to read and within seconds my mind was racing with things pertaining to skating and competing.


So I went out with my Dad one day in search for a few books that would take my mind off skating, and would allow me to have the proper mental recovery I needed (I still read the book on optimal experience each day of competition).


Somehow we got on the topic of Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy and ultimately I left the store with copies of the first two books. My Dad bought them for me as a gift (very nice of him), as I had read his copies back in high school and didn’t have my own.



I found it fitting to be reading them again. Not only because the books have a great message, but the new copies have those big bold friendly letters "DON'T PANIC" printed on the cover!


Ha ha.


Which considering the week I was going through, was the perfect advice.


I'm on book five right now, Mostly Harmless, it's a trilogy of five books. I'm sure it will make sense later people...

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Back!


Sorry, I know I promised I would update on Wednesday but I ended up getting in later than I expected from Medicine Hat.

Oh well, I'm back now. Officially! I guess, because "back" for me means back to skating. It was the first time in a week that I've done anything even remotely active... and it felt great... I've been holding back mainly to rest my ankle and also because of my mouth. I got an implant in and a bone graft done on last Thursday.

Both my mouth and ankle are doing a lot better though. I still feel some minor pressure points in my boot while I skate, but there is little to no pain! I even went out a did part of The Euro's lactic capacity program today (only one set but I hurt!). Don't ask, I more or less just do things based on feeling of the moment. And I don't regret it.

As for the vacation, it was great. Although, I don't think it made even a dent at those vacations I've missed out on. I didn't really get away from the thoughts surrounding trials. While in Medicine Hat I ended up doing a couple of interviews, even an in studio one with Chat TV yesterday. Doing them always brings up suppressed emotions.

I made it up to Edmonton for a few days to see my Baba and Gido (Grandma and Grandpa in Ukrainian) who always spoil me and give me tons and tons of homemade gingersnaps! As well as my sister Shalon. Who by the way is a complete and utter nerd... I mean that in a good way, she's super smart (much like my parents, damn her getting the useful genes), and even has some published physics papers with her name in them. She's not even done her undergrad! So with out a doubt, a nerd...

The funny part relating to all this, was some how I found myself stuck at one of her friends houses. Except, all the four of them talked about was work (nerd work), school (it's summer so... nerd) and scientific nerd shtuff they had heard or were in the process of reading up on... I think there was a moment of tension when someone brought up the finer points of string theory...

Cough, cough, yes exactly...

I was trying to be polite, but after about an hour and a half I couldn't take anymore... I started to drift off, I think at that point I turned around and attempted to pass out on the couch.

As for HOME, it was great! I didn't go outside of the house that often, other than to see my Grandma. Most or all of my friends from back home have either left or... Well I don't exactly know what happened to the other ones. That in itself may be the reason. But, mostly I stayed at the house, reading and relaxing as much as I could. Which was key. Being with my parents for more than a day was also important. They come through Calgary every so often, but it's never an extended visit. Which is what I really needed. My Mom even contracted me to bake a cheesecake for when my Uncle and Aunt came to visit! Of course I took all of the leftovers and am in fact consuming a very generous piece whilst I type. YUM!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Vacation

Vacation Time for me. I'll update come Wednesday I promise. For now, trying (emphasis on trying) to make it a vacation at least! If anything it's great to be hanging around the family again.

Until then, enjoy!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Goodbye Vancouver...

I hurt my ankle when I toppled past the line Monday, a minor bone contusion and a slight ligament sprain (as if, eh!?). It made it difficult to put my boot on during the 1500 m's afterwards but I pulled through with a win in the B final (7th).

Unfortunately, today during the 1000 m semis with an almost sure advancement to the A final, I tweaked my ankle in the last corner before the finish and went flying into the boards. At that point I was done... Not mentally, but physically. I wanted to get back out there, but both Jon and Paul (physio) recommended I back off and not skate the last race. They didn't want me running the risk of turning a minor injury into a severe one.

That's not the way I'd like to have finished my first Olympic Trials. But, to be honest I guess it went well, although I'll carry the pain of that 500 m DQ for the rest of my life. Sounds depressing, but it's part of sport.

Anyways, after racing today my teammates and I took a well deserved trip to the beach for a few hours or R and R. I've just returned from a party that Red Bull put on for us at their private lounge downtown but now looking forward to returning to Alberta and spending some quality time with my family! Try and make up for the last 3 years of missed vacations and holidays when I was out competing and/or training.

Oh and that picture above, I'm not angry, I'm actually really happy! Super tired and sore, but still happy! That's me after my semis where I advanced into the 500 m A final Monday. AND YES, I'm missing a bottom tooth if you haven't figure it out yet... It's getting fixed. *sigh*

Peace out Vancouver!

PS: Here are some articles.

Vancouver Sun:


The Province:


and last but not least The Medicine Hat News:


Thanks Sean!