Skiing

Dylan has been skiing intermittently since he as 4 years old. The initial attempts to encourage a love of skiing were not successful.



Dylan age 4 and daddy

Every year Andrew and I volunteer with Track 3 Ski Association for the Disabled. Unfortunately, Dylan is not allowed to ski on the private hill with us and so we have to drive him to another hill for ski lessons. Up to now, we haven't had an opportunity to ski much with him.

Dylan made it clear to me at the beginning of this season that he didn't like to ski "because you have to turn so much." My response to this was to enroll him in racing lessons (now he can go straight down the hill).

Wow, he seemed to have finally found his groove!

We have gone skiing with him several times this year and he really rocks!! Double black diamond runs are not a problem. Jumps...great. Moguls....fun. In fact, the first time I took him out I had to keep telling him to slow down (I literally couldn't keep up with him).

We were recently invited to ski at the private hill of one of Dylan's school friends, Lucas (fellow dragon club member Yellow Fang). We arrived in time to see Lucas do a race. He cleared the first jump but unfortunately did not have much success on the second jump. Poor Lucas still has this shiner one week later. As a result of his jumping abilities we have changed his Dragon Club name from Yellow Fang to Golden Wing!

Lucas with this shiner

Anita's Baby Nathan

Anita's Baby Nathan is almost 3 months old now and just had his dedication ceremony. He is at stage when, in my opinion, babies became more interesting. As Anita says, he is now cooing (talking) and smiling all the time. She and Brent are just loving being parents. On top of this whole new parent thing, they have decided to renovate and create a finished basement. This is a project they intend to do themselves. They had finished their bathroom less one year ago. For those of you who may not know, last year was a very lucky one for Anita and Brent. The same week that she discovered she was pregnant, Anita won a home makeover! Yes these contests are legit. Anita had written a letter for a radio contest and had then won a $10,000 renovation prize from Home Depot. On top of this they were given a week vacation to stay away from their home while the renovations took place. They returned for the big "reveal" which was recorded live on air. Overall, a fantastic surprise.

Too bad all renovations couldn't be this easy!

L.A., California

Andrew went to Los Angeles for work to visit Fox Sports at 20th Century Fox Studios. Of course, being in Fox Studios, he was in the heart of sitcom shoots....lucky he always carries his camera for these unique photo opportunities.

Winterlude!

Every year we make a pilgramage to Ottawa for two major events, Canada Day and Winterlude. Winterlude can be a truly magical experience if the weather co-operates. If it doesn't, it can be a bloody cold event. Fortunately, we experienced the former during this annual trek as the sun was shining and the temperature was ~10C (positively balmy for Ottawa).

We visited the ice sculptures.




















And, we skated 12 km on the canal, the world's largest skating rink.

On our last evening in Ottawa we went for dinner at the home of Andrew's oldest friend, James and his wife Nancy. I must give these guys credit for being able to maintain a friendship for 30 years despite a 500km distance. It was nice to see their two lovely blond children again.









Later we sampled some truly wonderful italian wines with a delicious meal while Andrew and James discussed camera merits.

Nancy and Andrew playing with the camera

Our only regret about this weekend is that we missed the opportunity to go NIGHT cross country skiing in the Gatineau Park with our friends Stephanie and Ted. As per Ted's email to us the following day, " You missed a fun time. It was ~21C in Ottawa on Saturday night and probably a few degrees colder in Gatineau Park. The ski into the cabin was longer and more uphill than I remembered (or maybe we're just more out of shape than we thought)? We had a great time with lots of food, hot chocolate, wine and beer. Steph & I were the last to leave and it was quite neat skiing by ourselves at 1:30am in the dark, through the park. Except that our eyelids were frozen when we got to the car. But a fun time, and hopefully you can make it next year."

Ted...you can count on it. One of the reasons why we came to Ottawa one day later than planned was because it was Jamie Campbell's surprise 40th Birthday Party. And since Jamie's birthday isn't until May 20th, it was truly a surprise!!!! (Alison decided to have it now because Jamie will be on the road touring with the Blue Jays in May).

"DON" Dylan

My brother's family invited us to a fundraiser soccer banquet for their 9-year old son Ryan. This was an opportunity to meet my father's brother and some other members of the family. We thought a child's soccer banquet would be a small affair in a donated hall. Boy were we wrong!

My sister Sandra and husband Donald with my brother Victor and wife Lidia

We arrived in Bolton to a very grand banquet hall with at least 300 mainly Italian attendees. We began to eat at 6:00pm at a delicious hot and cold buffet with grilled calamari in tomato sauce, fried calamari, many types of pastas, salads, mussels, etc... We filled our plates and ate and ate until we were satiated. And then we found out this was only the antipasto (appetizers). Dinner consisted of SEVERAL more rounds of seated plate service.

Dylan and his cousins Malcolm and Anthony

The dinner portion was interrruped several times with prize-winning games to see who was the best "DON" of each table (these Italians know how to joke about themselves). Guess who won the best "DON" contest at the children's table?

Dylan embracing his Italian side and wins best "Don" for his table.

The soccer team sat at the head table. They entered the room with a very inspirational soccer tune and presented their mothers with a rose bouquet (I found this very touching). I must admit it was very exciting and what a great time for each of these young children! Later the boys started the dance with a slow dance with their mothers.

Soccer player Ryan presenting his mother Lidia with flowers.

Speaking of dancing....Dylan was unleashed on the dance floor and did not sit down for one minute until we had to leave. Boy this boy can dance! He had to be taught the polka by his cousin Sarah but then he was actually spinning her around the dance floor to all the disco and pop numbers.

Dylan with cousin Sarah tripping the light fantastic

Andrew, Dylan and I had to leave before everyone else as we were driving straight to the chalet for skiing but we were able to round up the family for a photo. My uncle Angelo has invited me to his house to meet this children and grandchildren and I must admit I was very touched by his invitation.

FAMILY TRIPONE - My Father and his brother with spouses, my brother and and sister with spouses and children.

Whistler!

My husband went out to Whistler and all I got was this t-shirt (no, just kidding, I got an electronic Sudoku gameboy).

Andrew found himself in Vancouver for business and managed to hook up with our friend Brenda (visiting from Toronto) to ski in Whistler. Poor Andrew, after a full day skiing he ran out of energy and had to download at the end of the day.

Later that evening they met up with our friends Krista and Brock for dinner. It is such a small world. We have been able to stay connected with friends despite a 2000 km distance!

P.S. I hate to be a nonconformist but I still enjoy my Sudoku the old-fashioned way...paper and a fine-tipped pencil.

Take Me Out to The Ball Game

No it is not quite baseball season yet (nor do I care) but our neighbour Jamie Campbell does as he is the Sportsnet Blue Jays Anchor. This means that he is on the road 24/7 once baseball season starts (including spring training).

Jamie used to be Andrew's roommate in unversity. And, talk about serrendipty, when we moved into our house he and his new family bought the house right beside us. So, once again they are (almost) roommates.

Having Jamie as a neighbour has its advantages as Dylan was allowed to watch some Blue Jays games from the press box at Jamie's side.

I don't really enjoy baseball but I sure do enjoy singing that jingle:

Take me out to the ball game

Take me out with the crowd

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack

I don't care if I never get back

Let me root root root for the home team

If they don't win its a shame

For its one, two, three strikes you're out

At the old ball game!

Trying on New Looks

During his punk rock phase
Embracing his U.K. roots

Grandfather and child wondering if blonds really do have more fun (discovered it was just an urban legend).....redheads rock!!

What Do You Think?

The Printer's Apprentice

Dylan attended a birthday party this weekend at the historical house of William Lyon Mackenzie, Toronto's first mayor and owner of the first newspaper printing machine (he who controls communication, controls the world).

The children were able to print their names in the painstakingly slow process of old. Then, we went for a tour of the house and reviewed the culture and daily life activities of Toronto in the early 18th century.

After the party Dylan and I had a 2-hour drive to the chalet which we spent making up a story about the "Printer's Apprentice". We envisioned a young man arriving in Toronto from England to learn the trade of printing and in the end marrying one of Mackenzie's 14 children.

The FRANKENTRIKE, 9th Generation

As you know, Andrew has been building a series of recumbent trikes over the years. It all started in 2000 when his father purchased a used recumbent bike for $1000. Andrew admired the engineering of this new bike and wanted to have one for himself...but we could not afford it as I had quit my job to run my own medical writing business from home after Dylan was born. So, he decided he would build a recumbent trike for himself. The first trike was, in my opinion, his masterpiece because it was built from parts found exclusively from GOODWILL. We were fortunate to have a flagship store in walking distance and everyday either he or I would go in to look for salvagable parts. He used parts from a rowing machine, abdomenal exerciser, children's bikes, commode chair, wheelchairs, etc....The final product was affectionately named, THE FRANKENTRIKE as its creation was due to the scavenging of various body parts.

When the trike was done this proud wife (Mary Shelley?) took pictures and wrote a story about him. I sent it to three newpapers and the Ottawa Citizen decided to pick it up and interview him. Since his father has been the inspiration for this trike, he was interviewed as well.


However, as with all creations, this master was not satisfied and decided to strip down the original Frankentrike to build a better and faster trike. And thus, a new hobby was born.
Over the years, Andrew has taken over our condo's bedroom, our vacation home, my mother's basement, our garage with his carbon fibre fumes, drill presses, saws, welding, multitude of tools, massive blueprint plans.

He has gone from using GOODWILL parts to state-of-the-art parts imported from around the world...a backrest from Holland, wheel from China, racks from Australia etc...

In the process he has connected with recumbent enthusiasts from around the world via the www. They exchange plans and ideas freely. It is like this instant brotherhood when he introduces himself to like-minded people on the street such as these two neighbours.

There are trike fests to attend each year in Port Hope and there is the occasional recumbent race to see.

And now, he is almost finished building Dylan his own recumbent trike. I don't expect that I will ever give up my "wedgie" (2-wheeled bicycle) but if I do, I know where to go for my own "bent".

Book Club - one year anniversary

When we moved to the beach one of the first things I did was form a book club with the ladies on my street. As we are approaching our one-year anniversary I thought I'd review which books we took on and what I personally thought of them.

A book club allows one to meet with friends and wake up the brain by enjoying a lively and sometimes aggressive discussion. The meetings nearly always disintegrate deliciously into gossip about one's neighbours. I enjoy having my small circle of literary favourites broadened with the requests to read something I would not have thought of on my own.

I truly look forward to these evenings and will treaten Andrew with pain of death if he dares to be late for babysitting duties. As I have explained to Dylan, this is my time to banter with a group of smart ladies (catching up on neighbourhood gossip doesn't hurt either).

The following is a list of the books read by our club since conception, and my personal 5-star rating system.

NIGHT, Elie Wiesel ***
THIS MUCH I KNOW IS TRUE, Wally Lamb *****
SWEETNESS IN THE BELLY, Camilla Gibb ***
THE BRICK LANE, Monica Ali ***
THE BIRTH HOUSE, Ami McKay **
THE GLASS CASTLE, Jeannette Walls ***
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, Mark Haddon ****
THE TIME TRAVELLERS WIFE, Audrey Niffenegger ***
THE MEMORY KEEPER'S DAUGHTER, Kim Edwards (next book to be read)

Bizarre Emergency Cases 2006

Not what you were expecting.....

• A trauma case involving a very macho, jean clad male with workboots. He had been drinking at a rough bar and had been pushed down a flight of stairs. He suffered a head injury and presented with decreased level of consciousness. As his clothes were cut off a pair of woman's pantyhose was revealed followed by frilly underwear and bright pink toenails.

• An MVC trauma case involving a stunningly beautiful woman. Bloodwork had been drawn. She was still alert and oriented and requested that her underwear not be removed as we cut off her clothing. However, a nurse noticed safety pins on her underwear so they were cut off in preparation for a CT scan. The pins had been securing the underwear in place to hold and conceal her penis and testicles posteriorly. She had almost fooled the entire trauma team into believing she was a woman, and we had almost requested a stat pregnancy test on a man.

• A trauma case involving a male sex-trade worker gone horribly wrong. A very large and buff man presented as a severe assault case. He was naked accept for a red silk and chain thong and large handcuffs. In this case a pair of bolt cutters from the engineering department turned out to be the most useful trauma tool.

Some patients will try the darndest things......

• A known cocaine user presented complaining of chest pain and requesting narcotics. After a normal ECG and bloodwork he was not satisfied with having received only ASA for chest pain. Instead, in order to receive ATIVAN IV, he appeared to have a full body seizure. He was putting on a good show...eyes rolled back, drooling, full body convulsing. However, the nurse was not convinced and grabbed his hand and yelled, "If you are having a seizure squeeze my hand to let me know." The patient squeezed her hand extra hard to let her know how extra legitimate he was. All the staff laughed and he was told "no Ativan, no narcotics for you". He got up and left. (Note: In a true tonic-clonic seizure the patient loses all control over his conscious actions.)

• EMS crew had notified us that they were on route with a status epilepticus. Staff were waiting at the door. However, upon arrival, the patient was well known to St. Michael's ER. and the physician called out to him to "stop fooling around or I will take away your driver's license". The EMS crew were amazed to see their "convulsing" patient yell, "No one is going to fucking take away my license" and get off the stretcher and walk out the door.

• A man presented to ER in police custody. The police explained that he had been arrested on a minor charge and was being held in jail when he confessed to a much larger crime of smuggling 2 Gm cocaine. At first I was confused, and asked why would a man be confessing to such a serious crime. The police explained that the man had been trying to smuggle drugs into the prison system by swallowing cocaine-filled condoms. He would then enter the prison system on a minor charge and excrete the condoms and sell it to his inside co-horts. In theory, the man would then be released 2 Gm lighter and much richer. Unfortunately, the patient had realized that one of the condoms had broke and he was now being treated for cocaine ovedose and a much larger criminal offense.

• A long term inmate of the Toronto prison will occasionally counteract the boredom of jail time by swallowing objects such as eyeglasses, cutlery etc... This allows him time out for a gastroscopy under sedation, a good post-op meal and best of all, he can sneek a peek at females. I have seen him two times so far this year.

Hope for our youth....

I find it discouraging that on a weekly basis we receive teenagers completely wasted on drugs and alcohol. It is even more discouraging to see parents either indifferent or over-coddling about the state of their child. But one mom stands out in my mind. Her daughter had been brought in by friends after a night of clubbing and alcohol use. She was unresponsive to painful stimulus, incontinent of urine and had vomit all over her. Her mother was very concerned about the girl's state of health and was even more concerned about helping her to avoid future occurrences. So, she whipped out her camera and took pictures of her daughter lying on the stretcher with an intravenous, an naso-tracheal tube in nose (to protect her airway), diapers (for incontinency), vomit in her hair and drool running down her chin. She said that she would blow up the picture and use it as an educational tool to teach her daughter, and her other children, about the dangers of excessive alcohol use. Very cool...

A Comparison of BLOG Lists

Recently I showed Dylan my blog list of favourite things (see sidebar) and I asked him to give me a list of similar likes. Here is Dylan's blog list of favourite everything:

FAVOURITE “THINGS”
Dancing
Collecting beach glass
My parents
Summer
Making paper airplanes
Eating silverleaf cookies
Skating on the canal in Ottawa

FAVOURITE BOOKS
Asterix and Obelix
Pokemon Series
Bionicle Series
Time Warp Trio Series
Jigsaw Jones Series
Robin Hood

FAVOURITE PLACES
Ontario Place
Tower of London
Casa Loma, Toronto
Legoland, U.K.
Atlantis, The Bahamas
Our home

FAVOURITE MOVIES
Sound of Music
Neverending Story
Pokemon Series
Akeelah and the Bee

Where is the Snow???

Okay, I'm becoming a little concerned about this whole possible climate change thing. Sing to the tune of "Its beginning to feel alot like Christmas" but substitute lyrics to: "Its beginning to feel alot like Armageddon." Track 3 was cancelled this weekend because the ski industry in southern Ontario was CLOSED for the weekend. Not just running on half-capacity, or running with icy conditions, or running as if it were spring conditions. We were shut down. No ski racing lessons for Dylan and no chalet trek for us this weekend. Everyone is talking about the balmy weather. The animals have been coming out of hibernation all dazed and confused.

So, instead of skiing, Dylan and I took in lunch and a show this fine Sunday afternoon. Andrew has been working gargantuan hours this week because Sportsnet will be launching a new look (and new software) in two days. As a result, his boss gave him a set of tickets to the Blue Man Group's last performance in Toronto. I had already seen the show but it was fun to see it again, especially with a 7-year old who couldn't stop laughing and yelling throughout the performance.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

What a great New Year Eve celebration which ran over three days for us!

First, on December 30th we had dinner my sister and her family. Dinner consisted of Surf and Turf with lobster and beef kabobs followed by East Indian dessert delicacies. As part of the evening festivities we played a rousing game of Pictionary (boys vs. girls) followed by singing with the karaoke machine. Both Sandra and I belted out three 2 CDs worth of Beatles songs and although we were no von Trapp family, I think we did a grand job. The Cleghorn/Tripone family certainly know how to put on an entertaining evening.

New Year's Eve was spent at a party with friends in the neighbourhood. Dylan slept in their bedroom (in theory) although he was too excited and managed to stay awake until 1:00 am. We danced until 3:00am and then walked home with an almost full moon and a lovely warm night as backdrop to a brand new year. The next day, we were invited to a street party (not our street but one street away). What great spirit! All the neighbours were out to this event and brought homemade goodies, chili, cider, bbq (we brought a box of Starbucks coffee). The children and men played hockey for 3.5 hours straight! Dylan had such a great time and then collapsed into bed for a 12-hour sleep. I was told by several people living on the street that although many have had the opportunity to move out to bigger and better homes (many have shared parking lanes and only 1000sq. ft. living space) they refuse to do so only because they love their neighbourhood so much. We have already been invited to their annual Easter egg hunt, summer party, jazz party etc.....

As I reflect over the past year I think how it started with so much sorrow but ended with joy. The beginning of 2006 saw the loss of my uncle Eddy and my good friend Rose. It felt like the beginning of a giant downward spiral. But then I located my father and sister and brother and life threw us a curveball. I know it is a Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times" but I can't help but feel that this is what keeps us going. You cannot truly appreciate the valleys in life until you have experienced the hills. I will remember 2006 as the year of my hills and valleys and I cannot help but be grateful for every small blessing, every new contact in my life and especially my strong reservoir of family and friends. May each and every one of you have a healthy and joyous new year in 2007.