Thursday, July 26, 2007

Packing, Nerves & Arrival in Montreal

Holy crap people! I leave in 60 hours or so!

I never thought this bloody day would arrive! It's been 5 months of training and time to show what I've built up.

If you'd like to see us arrive in Montreal:

Arrival Ceremonies
5:00pm, Friday August 3Parc Emelie Gamelin, Montreal


In the spirit of the Bike Rally, all riders will meet at the last break spot and ride into Montreal together on the bike path. For many, this is the highlight of their journey -- a long line of Bike Rally jerseys stretching as far as the eye can see.

Once we arrive at the base of old Montreal, Riders will be met by a police escort to take them through the final leg of the ride through old Montreal and up Rue Berri to Emilie Gamelin Parc.
We thank the Divers /Cité Festival for the use of Parc Emelie Gamelin during our ceremonies!

I will take notes on the road and post how it goes when I return. Thank you for all of your support for my ride and especially for PWA Foundation!

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Finch - Keswick (126km) Final Training Ride

Holy crap people! 1 week to go. For those of you who've been reading this since March, can you believe it? I have finally surpassed my 2000km training mark too! Only 610kms more to go.... haha.

It's a real challenge to balance training with life's everyday challenges. I'm not exactly where I wanted to be at 1 week before the ride. I have to say though that I am starting to be in awe of the challenge that I have taken on. Even more than the physical challenge really is the mental challenge of pushing through and getting to the end.

Having said that, yesterday's ride was not only the longest but the biggest mental challenge for me. Particularly because I rode on my own for most of the 6 hours that I was out there. That's an awful long time to be on your bike and alone with your thoughts. I almost gave up around 75km and then again around 80km.

Keswick was beautiful and I wish that I could have spent longer enjoying it. It was a beautful ride for the most part as we were able to get pretty far out of the city.

I'm not sure if long distance biking will become a regular habit. One thing's for sure, this trip will provide the memory of a lifetim. In many ways, it has already changed something about my constitution or perhaps it's just brought more of something that was already there out. Either way, I'm very nervous and yet incredibly excited for what lays ahead on the open road.

Time: 5h45mins
AVG: 21km/hr

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Holland Landing (103km)

~ Great bakery in Kettleby
~ Riding with a fab group of 4 folks
~ Hanging out in some barn place near Holland Landing for a snack
~ Holland Landing is beautiful, very flat along a canal
~ Trip back was brutally hilly & I was brutally tired


Time: 3hr45mins
Avg: 21 - 22km/hr

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Oshawa - Bowmanville (72km)

Yesterday, GO train to Oshawa.

Biked through crazy dirt Lakeshore path.

Through Darlington Prov Park.

Downtown Bowmanville = woohoo!

Greasy breakie at 5th Wheel = holy vomit batman!

Just missed train ride back.

Sleeping on ride back.

After Terra Cotta winds, today's ride felt much easier.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Terra Cotta (105km)

I qualified. Woo-Woo! I did my 100km qualifying ride yesterday. What a day.

The ride up to Terra Cotta (2.5 hours) was filled with a really strong headwind that just would not give up. It was great riding in a little pack of 4. It kept me motivated to get through that brutal bit.

Terra Cotta's a cute town. The family whose house doubles as a country store are really great people. They went out to their garden to pick fresh chives for myself and another rider's fabulous egg-salad sandwich. Their daughter has a lot of energy to burn and we had some fun racing the backyard :-)

There was a different energy about yesterday's ride and I enjoyed stopping at the store along the way and taking a break. It was a good spot for some group bonding which I really feel has been lacking so far on the training rides and/or general outings from this experience. I think the Bike Rally would retain more riders year in and out by looking for closely at the theory of group dynamics and how it can be applied from the outset, rather than just the week of the ride itself.

The ride back was mostly fabulous! Long downhill bits. Halton Hills have these great hills where you go so far downhill you almost spring to the top of the uphill. My kind of ride!

I went home and crashed at around 7 or 8pm. I just woke up this morning. It was a hard day but I feel like I'm back into it again.


STATS:
Avg in Headwind: 17 - 18km
Avg on way back: 22 - 23km
Total Time: 4hr55mins

Highlights: Awesome riding partners, the unbelievably creamy egg-salad sandwich + the Mother Lode ice cream in Terra Cotta, downhill roads to Kipling

Friday, June 29, 2007

Back on the Lakeshore (45km)

Fun lady + I did another 45km go of Tommy Thomson Park + Lakeshore today.

It's great to get out on a road you can just go flat out on without having to worry about traffic lights and car obstacles. I wish there were more places like that to ride in the city.

Still seeking out some motivation for this riding stuff. Hopefully a good long training ride this weekend will bring it back.

I have surpassed my goal of $2000 for PWA!
Please keep donating though as every dollar counts.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Quick & Dirty (32km)

Yup. You read it here first. Tonight was one quick and dirty ride, all 32km of it.

Feels good to be back on the bike again. Short ride but lots of sprints to try and get the cardio up. Made a good push on that mini hill on Lakeshore. Getting back into it. Pushing into the wind a bit.

Biking along Lakeshore today made me wonder what the other riders were out there cruising around for? Training? Fun? Hmmmm.

I realize that I'm not really pushing myself until I hit at least 21km/hr. Looking forward to the open roads to Montreal.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Tommy Thompson Park (30km)

Wow, almost 4 weeks to go! Time is flying! Summer is so distracting and there are so many things I want to do, and I don't have the time to do it :-)

Quick 30km ride around Tommy Thompson Park this evening. It was way too hot to do anything else during the day. I'm worrying more about the heat than I am about the mileage on this bike ride. I imagine it gets cooler as you head out of the city though.... but this summer looks like it might be a little brutal.

I know my blogging's becoming dull and I still haven't uploaded pics yet. One of these days....

Friday, June 22, 2007

Personal Training

I started the Can Fit Pro Personal Training course last night. It lasts the whole weekend.
INSANITY!!!!!!!!!!

Lots of anatomy learning yesterday and I think I'm starting to understand why I've had difficulty working out and actually building something sustainable. I mean I know the human body is complicated, but in a 2 hour span late in the evening, it's way more complicated than I can reasonably take in.

I'm mainly taking the course to train myself and take the last many steps to building a sustainable frame for the amount of activity I'd like to incorporate into my life. I know I will be using it in my future somehow, just not sure what shape that will take on just yet (a-har-har-har).

One thing's for sure, using my brain makes me hungry. I need to bring a small picnic with me tonight.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Around the City in an Afternoon (30km)

All leisure biking today. 30kms around the city. Picking us this and that. Eating food. Chilling on the beach. I'm losing desire for getting on the subway and heading off on a ride. It seems so regimented. I want to travel through the forest, roll in the dirt, get off the roads and away from scary SUVs.

I'm looking forward to travelling to Montreal. The structure and rules rules rules of this ride is really getting me down. I thought it would be more fun than it is. I just feel like a cash cow not a volunteer who's devoting her whole summer to this cause. I'm trying to keep it on the positive but I have my days where I just wish this thing was over.

Today's biking should lift my spirits so I'll blog again about it later.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Oakville - Bronte (30km)

Yesterday I did my own loop through Oakville & Bronte.
I was hoping to make it out to Burlington but alas I ran out of time.
Bronte's a cute little town just west of Oakville.
The 'downtown core' has a lot of boarded up or overly expensive stores.
Great streets for biking on due to their width and really nice gardens to check out.
Oakville is very biker friendly. You can ride on the sidewalk/biker's path almost the whole way along Lakeshore.

I'm trying to get out of the city more for rides, way out of the city since urban biking can be a huge pain in the butt.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Fundraising Party Sat June 9th

A quick woo-hoo to all the people who came out to my party or couldn't make it but donated anyways. We managed to raise over $300 from that party alone!

Thank you all for supporting PWA + my ride to Montreal. It means a whole lot to me. More than my Bloggers Block can express.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Finch-Aurora-Don Trail (90km)

I'm going through Bloggers Block so here's the quick and dirty on this ride:

I did this ride in reverse heading up through Keele first. Langstaff had construction on it so I ended up heading through the nasty cookie cutter-ville up there. It's unbelievably hot in places where they've removed all the trees to make room for 'MapleLeaf Drive'. Huh? It's very sad to see what's happening with York Region farmland. Suburban sprawl. Eek!

Keele Street has lots of steep hills especially from 15th to 17th Sideroad. The hill up to 17th is by far the hardest. I got to ride behind a smelly garbage truck. Hurray for me.


Bonus: Wicked trees on Leslie to keep you shaded
The falcon on Leslie that pushed me up a hill
B&R ice cream
Took it real slow, lots of snacking along the way

AVG Speed: 21.1km
MAX Speed: 52.2km
TIME: 4hrs16mins
TEMP: Really freakin' hot!

Friday, June 8, 2007

Talk to the Universe... It Does Talk Back, Sometimes

The last few days I have been losing steam, losing interest, getting frustrated, just plain plateaued out of the uphill battle. With? Well let's face it, most things in my life are an uphill battle right now.

Today things just seem to be going right. Some of those eternal questions are getting answered and it seems like the tide just might be floating me (finally) in a right direction of sorts.

I'm thankful for a lot of things today. Mostly I just want to say thanks to all those awesome people who are supporting my ride. Every new donation helps keep me inspired. And I also want to thank Grassroots for having free yummy dark organic coffee for me this morning as I biked by. What a gem in the haystack. It was a great feeling convening with biker's on my way to starting my day.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Belt Line Trail: Don't Bother

With a rainy crappy day before us, a west end girl and an east end girl met up for a whee ride. Through the beautiful Don Valley + Brickworks we flew in search of the infamous 'BeltLine Trail'. We went through the beautiful Mount Pleasant Cemetary.

Then we found the 'Trail'. It stopped at a busy street. And then it went for another couple of minutes. And then it stopped at a busy street. It was more fun biking around the slopping streets of Forest Hill.

Big thanks for the uber-dark coffee and pasta deluxe! Now I am flying high on caffeine. Looking forward to Hardcore Conditioning for dancers tonight!

Ride Summary: 25km ride of slow meandering fun in the rain with great coffee, an urban tale

Sunday, June 3, 2007

8th Training Ride: Musselman Lake (95km)

TTC doesn't run early on Sundays so my training partner + I headed out on the GO Train just after 7am up to Scarborough. We were not keen on doing the Pickering route again. Sometimes I like just biking solo or with one other person. Less complicated. It can drive you nuts having to focus on signalling every little bump in the road among other things.

It was a really beautiful ride, mostly through country rides (although suburbia is fast encroaching in many places). Today was all about the push and I'm glad that I have someone who I'm able to ride with and see when they need a boost and they see when I need a boost, etc. It was threatening to rain on us all morning. It only spit lightly heading back down Midland towards the subway. It was kind of nice to wash away the sweat a little and cool us down.

Musselman's Lake was just as beautiful as I remembered it. I had some very-bad-for-you french toast with table syrup and that kept my spirits up most of the ride back.

Something I'm learning about myself is that I definitely enjoy being on a bike. I'm not a fan of all this rush rush to get to the end stuff though. I wish I had more time to stop and explore and enjoy on the way. York Region has so many beautiful forest trails and it would be far better than spending a few hours on Kennedy and Warden. I enjoy boosting. There are times when we're just going dead flat for long periods of time and it can be hard to stay motivated.

Biking is definitely a meditative space for me though.


AVG Speed: 23.7km/hr
Fastest AVG: 25km/hr (1st 20kms)
Biking Time: 4hrs!
Best Stop: Sketchy Bar/restaurant near Musselman's Lake

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Plateau lala

I skipped out on the training rides this weekend, I needed some quality me time off my bike, well at least from long distance biking.

Went out for a chilled ride out to Ashbridge's Bay and along Tommy Thomson Park on Friday. Probably a good 30km ride. I need to fix my odometre, or rather I need to remember to put my wheel back on the right way next time I change a flat :-)

I'm feeling somewhat demotivated about activity right now. A bit fatigued. I started reading Thrive Diet and trying to incorporate some of Brendan Brazier's ideas about eating raw foods. I tried it out for a few days. I think it's something I can definitely incorporate into my routine but I don't think I can go 100% raw. All that hemp stuff is brutally expensive. There's some great smoothie recipes in there, salad ideas and other stuff. I just can't justify buying 900g of hemp protein for $32 to make power bars though.

For now I'll stick with my Cherry Pie Larabars. They're a bit more reasonable and I know they taste good. Most power bars out there are so filled with crap: processed stuff, sugars, corn syrup, etc.

I'm blogging out of procrastination today, primarily. I need some motivation. Sigh.
__________________________________________________________

Wow! Hardcore conditioning is the way to go! I feel energized, revitalized. But still fatigued :-)
The donations are still coming in though which is awesome. It motivates me to train. I was starting to worry that I might not get to my goal (I need to collect $2000 by June 30th or I can't go on the Bike Rally). I remain optimistic.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Toronto-Guelph-Oakville

I've taken a few days to recooperate and I'm ready to post again.

Earlier this week, I biked from Toronto to Milton and on to Guelph where I stayed overnight. Then I biked back the next day. I tried to meet someone in Oakville on the way back but grossly overestimated how far Oakville was from Guelph and wound up taking the train back from Oakville.

My computer conked out on the ride back to Toronto as well so I'm estimating the return trip based on map distances.

It's a beautiful ride that I highly recommend for those who are inclined. The hills between Milton and Guelph are just beautiful and I stopped to take it in many times on the way. This is definitely a difficult ride. Up one hill and down the next and then back at it again. I wanted to try a back-to-back 100km ride to boost my confidence for Montreal. I will definitely do more of those trips before the summer is out.

AVG: 22km/hr
KMS: 185kms (roundtrip)

Sunday, May 20, 2007

7th Training Ride: Pickering (65km)

I was already exhausted when I woke up this morning. Then about 15kms into the ride I slipped on my bike in the middle of an intersection and came down on both my knees and left elbow. Just some scrapes and bruises but the landing directly on my kneecaps was hard. I thought about taking the GO Train back from Pickering but decided to push on. It made a brutal ride even worse since my knees were stiff and hurt to pedal. But life's short and sometimes pain happens to make you realize how much you can actually push yourself.

The wind was brutal today and we were getting blown all over the road. It seemed to come at us form almost every angle. Taunton Road was just brutal. Lots of hills today too and I couldn't really push because of the wind. Todd was an angel! At halfway he was there to motivate us and gave me a 500ml of water which I finished in about 1 minute flat.

We stopped a lot too. Spent about 20 minutes at Tim's in Pickering, wolfing down an egg sandwich and A + I scored some extra tim bits (which I don't advise but we needed some chocolate to push us through).

I made a decent pasta lunner, sitting here with a bag of peas on my knees. If I could survive today, the rest will be a piece of cake :-)


Distance: 65km
Time: 3hr25mins (biking time)
Avg Speed: 20.5km/hr

Saturday, May 19, 2007

6th Training Ride: Lake Wilcox (52km + 30km)

Wow! We just flew today! It helps having a fun biking partner who has a limitless collection of biking songs in their head! My average speed per hour has increased by 7km/hr since the 1st training ride 6 weeks ago.

Lots of hills on Dufferin Street + one crazy one on Bayview Avenue just north of 19th Ave. I will definitely be attending the hill training clinic. The flats are relatively easy for me but those hills woowee! A beautiful ride and a beautiful day! It's nice to get out of the city and actually see some scenary.

Off to bike some more!
Distance: 52km
Time: 2hr25mins
Avg Speed: 23.7km/hr
Max Speed: 50.9km/hr
Bonus: Biking with my 'Biking-Twin' & singing 80s songs off-key
(PS How could anyone not know Respect by Erasure?)
__________________________________
Headed through my fave trail through Don Valley: Taylor Creek Park. Beautiful day. It was great biking beside water and trees rather than dodging angry SUV drivers in York Region earlier today. Climbed up under the Don Mills Bridge too but not across it. That thing is freaky!
Did another 30km more and then loaded up on sushi. Tomorrow, another day on the road.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Tommy Tompson part deux (36km)

I know an old biker who swallowed a fly, she swallowed a fly, oh I don't know why.

This week was lazy because of the crap weather and just having a lot to do. Tonight I was convinced to head out for a leisurely ride through Taylor Massey Creek (north Don Valley, which if you've never been, you really should). Saw some kids on a rope swing under the bridge. I'll have to go back and try it out.

We meandered through east end streets and eventually ended up at Tommy Thompson. It was a gorgeous sunset tonight and great to enjoy a cool evening by the lake before the masses descend with the onset of summer.

Distance: 36km
Time: 1hr45mins
Avg speed: 20km/hr
Bonus: heaps of rabbits on the spit

Saturday, May 12, 2007

5th Training Ride: Rouge Valley (49km + 11km)

Today's ride was scenic and beautiful once you get out of Scarborough suburbia.

There's this beautiful spot along Port Union Rd where you're biking alongside Lake Ontario. Then there's this spectacular spot near the end of it where the Lake looks really beautiful. I'd love to go back when I have time and check that spot out some more.

I had pretty good cadence throughout the ride today and I've really improved since the first training ride (in 5 weeks I've gone up 4.7kms faster on average!) The hills only slowed me down ever so slightly. It was a bit chilly today but all in all enjoyable. Had a great lunch at my favourite cafe and had a bit of a nap. Probably go out for another ride again tomorrow. I need to find a happy medium with the sun so it doesn't wear me out.

PS Going down the hill on Military Trail where it turns off was the highlight of the ride (besides the aforementioned Port Union spot)



Rouge Valley Ride = 49km @ 2h30mins
Avg Speed= 21.7km/hr
Getting to Lunch = 11km
TOTAL RIDE = 60km
MAP:

Thursday, May 10, 2007

To Oakville and Beyond (96km)

Because I'm crazy, I decided to bike out to Oakville yesterday to visit a friend. It's about a 46km ride. A pretty easy ride with mostly flat streets, some hills. Nice lakeshore views along the way. You get to see some cute little towns: Mimico and Port Credit. I felt great when I arrived in Oakville, although a little chilly. It seems the pollution warms downtown up a lot more than it does in the outlying areas. A skirt, probably not the best choice.

And then because I wanted to really push myself (and I'm really crazy), I decided to bike home after that long day for fun. Another 50kms. I took my time about it, chilled out in Port Credit and Humber Bay Park. I realized something about biking yesterday, I'm addicted to it, like some people are addicted to crack! It's just an incredible freeing experience being able to go wherever you want, getting lost in a Mississauga marsh, whatever. It's the way I used to feel about road trips when I was younger. But this is so much better!

I think I'm ready for Montreal.

Monday, May 7, 2007

An Ode to Spinning

Just finished a wicked spinning session emulating wind resistance (I could have used that on Saturday!) I feel very happily buzzed. Also had a decent weight session. Feels good to be able to increase weights and push myself a bit harder. I've been targetting my upper back and shoulders the last couple of days to build a stronger frame for those long rides. I hope it's working. It will tested in class tomorrow night when we have to do those shoulder shimmies (eek!)

Sunday, May 6, 2007

4th Training Ride: Meadowvale Village (46km + 34km)

80km yesterday! Oy my hips, my neck.... I'm not sure if I'm sore this morning from sleeping so long (bedtime = 4pm, wake-up = 6:30am - no that was not a typo). You know that laying in bed too long ache you get sometimes, especially for women and their hips. Well whatever it is, I'm off for a long yoga session after I post this.

About the ride. A friend of mine came along which always makes it more fun. Plus I probably wouldn't have pushed myself to bike home after. The ride itself was relatively flat and easy except for that big hill towards the end when you get to suburbia. Most of the time delay stemmed from hitting traffic lights that took forever to change.

We took a short break at this beautiful creek called Etobicoke Creek I believe. I took some photos which I intend to post (I swear they are not phantom photos or figments of my imagination). It was mostly a very uninspired suburban route, the main intent of which was just to get some distance in this week.

During the return ride back to the station, the wind was not in our favour which also slowed us down. I should have conserved some of my quad power somewhat more. I definitely know that one of my problems is pacing myself. I have this habit of wanting to boost all the time. There are 12 more weeks for me to learn these things :-)

The ride along the lakeshore after was quite slow but I always enjoy the scenary down there and cruising suits me just fine. It was good for just spinning my legs out after the Meadowvale ride as well. A beautiful day, very windy though and slightly chilly by the water.

I have discovered a great breakfast that burns off nice and slow over the ride: peanut butter (natural stuff of course) and bagels. Beautiful combo! Oh and green grapes dipped in peanut butter make a nice post-ride snack too!

Meadowvale Ride = 46km @ 2h10mins
Avg Speed= 21.3km/hr
Lakeshore Ride = 34km
TOTAL RIDE = 80km

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Tommy Thompson + Early May Freeze

Wow yesterday was really chilly here in Toronto. Or maybe it's just that I'm not dressing for the weather. I refuse to don my winter coat again and officially put the winter gear away, danmit! As a result, that led to my own freezingness (yes it's now a word).

Zipping around the city yesterday added 15km to my odometre. I'm getting better at negotiating city traffic and beating the traffic light stall.

I also did a very short 20km training ride with a fellow Bike Rally rider yesterday. From downtown along the lakshore we looped a good chunk of Tommy Thompson Park. For those of you who aren't aware of this treasure, it's situated at the very south end of Leslie Street. It juts out into the water and sticks out very close to Ward's Island at one point. It's awesome because there are hardly ever cars there and you can bike for many kilometres undisturbed. There's also lots of great wildlife viewing: rabbits, grounhogs, racoons, beavers and any kind of bird you can imagine. It has one of the most spectacular views of the Toronto skyline, highly recommended at sunset.

While I biked all through winter this year, the chill coming off Lake Ontario, my thin gloves and spring shoes, we were back indoors before long enjoying hot chocolate. I figure that I've been very good about pushing myself and bike everyday for many kms. I'll be at this Saturday's training ride, so I'm entitled to have one lazy training ride (yes I feel guilty... but it was great hot chocolate!)

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Cycle Therapy are Rock Stars

I'm in a rush but I just wanted to rave and gush about the guys at Cycle Therapy: they are total stars!

Today I went in for a full hour's free bike fit (because I'm doing the Bike Rally) during which Mike (part owner) gave me some very practical advice, including many things I had never thought of as an inexperienced rider. As a result of him giving me a shorter stem, adjusting the height of my bike and suggesting shorter handlebars for my smaller shoulder frame, not only has my cadence improved but my wrists are not really sore anymore.

Not only are they offering all of us newbie biker's free bike fits, but apparently for the past 3 years, they've shut down their entire shop during the week of the Bike Rally to come on the ride and lend a hand with mechanical stuff. How awesome is that?!

I just wanted to take some time out to hype up their shop which is very funky. They have a great attitude about biking, very chilled and no pressure. You can find them at 1114 Queen Street East (2 blocks East of Pape, North Side) http://www.cycletherapy.ca/

Now, back on Betty for some more urban adventures this afternoon.

Monday, April 30, 2007

13 Weeks & Counting + Mimico & Back

I think I'm still recovering from Saturday. Sore wrists and a strained tendon possibly below my right knee cap. I hope to solve some of this wear and tear with my free bike fit session from Cycle Therapy this week, you guys rock! http://www.cycletherapy.ca/

I hit the gym yesterday for the first time in about a week. Consistency has not been my friend. Once the weather becomes beautiful outside, I begin to lose my desire for running a track or lifting weights in an enclosed uninspired grey space. I want to be free and run with the hair in my wind... or something like that.

I managed to spin my legs out on a bike a bit and do some shoulders and back (trying to strengthen the stuff that's holding me over the handlebars).

Went with a friend for a very chilled pace out to Mimico and back (35km). Beautiful day, sun shining, the lake looked gorgeous. Getting back to enjoying being on a bike. I'm hoping that this weekend's training ride is much more flat so I can get some good cadence practice up on my bike.

I can't believe that it's the last day of April and that I've been 30 for a whole month! Time flies when you're training for a Bike Rally ;-)

Saturday, April 28, 2007

3rd Training Ride: Kennedy - Rouge Valley (42km+30km)

Let's call today the ride of Kvetch. I barely slept last night, the weather was dismal, the wind was chilly and there were hills. Lots of long extended amounts of pain kinds of hills. To be positive, there were also some really beautiful farms and country roads which helped distract me from focusing on the hills.

Today's ride also brought home the reality that holy crap: 610kms is a really long way! The ride was really challenging, lots of long hills that never seemed to end. When you hit the crest, often there was another one not too far in the distance. It was a good challenge though. I feel really good about having completed it. I also felt great about not giving in and taking the subway home later.

This ride knocked me on my butt a bit. After a 5 hour nap yesterday afternoon and consuming a whole large pizza to myself, I have regrouped and realize 3 very important things:

1. I need to get into that whole carb loading thing the night before a training ride because now things are getting serious

2. I really need to maintain a consistent schedule at the gym with lots of cross training and resistenace training.

3. I'm not in as good of shape at this point as I thought I'd be, but I'm well on my way and in far better shape than I was 10 years ago.

This post may seem very negative and ranty, that's probably the sore groginess talking. Honestly, I'm glad for yesterday's ride because I think that I desperately needed that dose of reality!

MAP: http://www.bikerally.org/trainingmaps2007/42k_KennedyZooLoop.pdf

There will be some training before next weekend, oh yes there will be :-)

Friday, April 27, 2007

Cinderella at the Dance Studio

I've been studying belly dancing at a studio and being that I am broke right now, I proposed a baretr style, I clean the sudio for them, they give me a free class. Pretty sweet deal when you consider it's $100 every 6 weeks.

There I was last night after class sweeping up our studio and in the next studio were the advanced performers training for their big show next weekend. I've been in beginner's level for about 3 months now and we've learned very basic moves: shimmies, hip drops, figure 8s. Eventually as you level up, these basic moves become layered with the more complicated moves you generally see dancers performing.

These dancers were performing the basic moves as if they were second nature to them and adding lots of more complicated moves I couldn't quite place overtop. Watching them is always inspiring and motivating to see that eventually it is possible to move through an entire dance routine. Having spent this much time with beginner's classes, I can appreciate that these dancers have been at it for years.

I did feel a bit like Cinderella watching her sisters go out to the ball as I slowly swept past them.

But well, one day my dance will come :-)

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Why Should You Pledge Me? Oh Let Me Count Thee Ways :-)

2 years ago at the age of 28, I learned how to ride a bike for the first time.
Now it is my main mode of transportation.


Number of Days: 6
Number of KMs: 610kms
Mode of Transport: Betty (my sporty bike)
Route: Toronto to Montreal
Charity Org: Toronto PWA Foundation

Where your $ go:
All donations raised will help the Toronto PWA Foundation provide accessible, direct and practical services to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS.

How can I help?:

1. Visit the Friends For Life Bike Rally secure online site at: http://www.bikerally.org/pledge.html

2. Select: To pledge a specific Participant, please click here to search for his/her name (Rhonda Major).

3. Once completed, an electronic tax receipt will be sent to you by email within a few minutes.


For more information about the Friends For Life Bike Rally 2007,
or to join me in our big send-off on July 29th,

Together, we can make a positive difference.

Much love and appreciation for your generous support
(and because I know that you all want to support my crazy antics in life :-)
**Stay tuned for bike training adventures & I promise to get some pics up here soon as well**

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Climbing the Escarpment: 46km Oakville to Milton

Yesterday I took the Go Train out to Oakville for a countryside bike tour. Once you get past suburban Oakville, there is some beautiful farmland to be seen heading north on 6th Line. There's a great picnic spot at the bottom of this windy hill on Lower Base Line Road heading west towards 5th Line. Although Bass Rd is really scenic and follows a great ravine, the road isn't paved very well and there is no shoulder to speak of. I definitely do not recommend it in wet weather.

I took my return trip via 6th Line (from Derry Road) the whole way into Oakville, heading East on Leighland to get back to the train station. 6th Line has little ponies, heaps of blackbirds with red tipped wings and other assorted wildlife to keep you in visual enjoyment.

The climb to Milton is there, very gradual with only 1 or 2 hills. On the way home you're cruising except for one longish hill on 6th... I think before Britannia Road. All in all, I highly recommend this trip. 6th Line is really quiet with very few cars during the day. In fact, I passed more bikers than cars!

Total Trip: 46km (including ride to/from station)
Total Time: 2hrs

Sunday, April 22, 2007

2nd Training Ride: Kipling - Port Credit (39km + 28km more)

Yesterday was the 2nd training ride and so I got to try out my new road tires (sweet!) and my new computer odomoter gadget thingy (because I am so very technical :-)

It was an unbelieveably beautiful day, about 23 degrees. Even at 9am, I only had arm warmers on as a layer, another fun bike accessory that I am in love with! I really recommend them. For $20 you have super warmth when you need it without crowding a lot of clothing in your pit area. When you are done, they roll up really small into your tiny bike bag. No bulky jackets to schlep around.

I felt somewhat less intimidated at the training ride yesterday. I figured that if I could make it up that McNicol hill last week coupled with the fact that my new tires had me flying through downtown Toronto streets all last week, I would easily complete this ride. I was not too far off.

STATS: AVG Speed: 23 km hour MAX Speed: 53.8 km hour

The ride was relatively flat. There were a couple of long hills including that twisty mountain road type climb through the end of Mississauga Road. The road tires really allowed me to push myself that much more. I was riding on my own a lot of the way and really enjoyed being able to work at my own pace. I snapped some pics of this beautiful ravine we passed over, somewhere near Port Credit I believe. I will post those pics + more very soon.

After the ride, we hit this great diner for some massive nourishment. There was a nutrition seminar and then myself and a fellow biker headed off for the Lakeshore Trail. We headed out from Spadina & Queens Quay all the way to Etobicoke and back. Needless to say, I passed out last night. I may have also been suffering from heat stroke (believe it or not) but my very slight tan today makes it worth it, right....

TOTAL KMS biked: 67kms (includes inner city biking + lakeshore trail)

I am seriously getting my training on!

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Boot Camp: For Real

Besides these long weekend rides, of course there's a lot of day to day training. Especially targetting my abs which are particularly weak from years of laziness. Yesterday was 1 hour spinning class + 1 hour of Amanda's particularly grueling Boot Camp. Since only 3 of us showed up, it was a much more individual boot camp. My abs are still burning today. I tried doing sit-ups and I got to 5 before I had to stop. She is brutal and that is excellent for getting me in shape.

I'm not a fan of the monotony of the gym so having classes with people to threaten to kick my butt really helps motivate me. I can't believe I actually managed to get in 3 sets of decent push-ups yesterday (the real ones) which have always been my weak point. That class has really improved my overall fitness over the past 4 months. For any of you out there training to do the Rally, or just yourself, I really recommend you get hooked up with a great boot camp class. Also spinning has really improved my overall cadence and particularly my ability to stand on a bike and get up hills.

I'm excited for the Saturday training ride and to try out my new gadget (speedometer thingy) to test how fast I really go. Also might have a few guests with me which should be fun :-) brew-haha! I promise to get some pics on Saturday's ride and post them here soon. This page has way too many words and not enough visuals. It's on it's way though....

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Toronto the Inept

(Warning: partial rant about Toronto's obnoxiousness
+ great Bike invention tidbit, may seem ranty)

When it comes to thinking 21st century, it seems to be a real challenge for Toronto government/public planners. Architecturally, this particularly with its row of massive ugly condos blocking the waterfront and subsequently any possibility of a sunny day penetrating the core of our city. It's just plain ugly, haphazard and completely lacking in artistic detail or imagination. Sure you have your cute and quaint neighbourhoods but they'll be gentrified soon no doubt. No planning is ever involved, just quickly put stuff up randomly here and there and hope a city eventually comes together.

This city has not really inspired a sense of community, more like cut-off local neighbourhoods. Really obnoxious weeklies NOW and EYE magazine attempt to sell local 'nabes' (that word is the most pretentious dribble, seriously) and sell Toronto on community = $500 shirts and other obnoxiously overpriced accessories (cause you bought it locally in the Distillery 'nabe' or the new-new Queen West artsy-smartsy I paid $500k for my loft neighbourhood). ARGH!

When will Toronto as a city ever create anything truly beautiful or useful for the general public? A friend of mine mailed me this great link for something called the Bike Tree. Imagine if you could actually park your bike in a secure place anywhere in the city and not have to stress out about it being stolen?

Imagine how many more people would bike in this city and not clog it up with SUVs built for 1? Imagine that this city actually became biker friendly and encouraged *SHOCK* people to get their asses out of those gas-guzzling polluters and engage in a little casual exercise to get from point A to point B? What a different city we would live in.

Anyways check this site out and let me know what you think:
http://www.biketree.com/

Saturday, April 14, 2007

1st Training Ride - 34km

A little pre-ride post. Woke up feeling not very rested but still excited for the ride ahead. Leftover takeout Ethiopian for breakfast, not many house options. Not where I'd like to be, still need hydration pack and to change my tires. I will be more prepared next week. Need shot of coffee to be good to go. I'll write when I return this afternoon.
_______________________________________________________

To check out our route today: http://bikerally.org/trainingmaps2007/34k_FinchMcCowan.pdf

I was feeling anxious about the 1st ride, not knowing anyone, wondering if I could keep up with all those folks in spandex. I was definitely near the back of the pack but felt very satisfied and comfortable with the distance we rode today. I definitely need to change for the road-style tires and hook up my bike computer so I can get a more accurate sense of my progress.

That hill on Cummer, they weren't lying! I made it all the way up but in the absolute last gear I had left. Would have been quicker had I walked up but I was determined. I did really well with most of the straighaways, the hill stuff needs some practice. Lots of quad strengthening.

Stats:
34km - 2hrs = 17km/hr (roughly)

*I biked an additional 13km that afternoon including that monstrous hill past York Mills heading downtown on Yonge Street. Not for the faint at quad.*
All in all I am exhausted but really excited for next Saturday and building up to Montreal.
PS: R, I put your b-day present to really good use last night
adding attachments to my frame. Thanks again :-)

Friday, April 13, 2007

For ALL Women over the age of 18

This is a message for any woman out there over the age of 18:
Please go for a regular breast and pelvic exam.
It could save your life.

http://www.geneseo.edu/CMS/display.php?page=3054&dpt=health

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Step to the Left, TURN TURN (..uh what are we doing again?)

From time to time I try to do Step class again. I know consistency is the key because I notice that I actually pick stuff up the more regularly I go. It's way too stressful for me to keep in STEP and because I'm always at least 3 turns behind, I feel like I'm not really getting my cardio up in an aerobic arena.

Today I decided to give it a go again. Some stuff I'm great with like the juming jacks, repeater knees and Vs. But holy crap, whoever thought of those turn step thingys and the incorporating many different aspects in a very short beat space should be hunted down and forced to do something that really drives them nuts!

I know, it's good for the mind and body, trying to bring the 2 together to work in a graceful sort of unison. I think I'll stick with the hard on the body workouts: spinning, running, boot camp, weightlifting. I'm not giving up, I'm just being honest.

Ooh I can't wait for the deluge of suggestions for how I can be a better Stepper. Bring it on!

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Life is a Stage?

I've started volunteering at a theatre to get back into the performance mode. It's been almost 11 years since I've really been on the stage as a performer. I don't count MCing or making speeches. I mean completely transforming and being someone else for a period of time. There is something about transforming into a character that just makes me feel alive. I can't explain it, I guess it's why many people take drugs, drink, etc. That high of holding an audience's attention and being able to make them laugh or cry through your manipulation of words or movements is an incredible superpower.

Being back around performers and being able to sit in on shows has been inspiring. They have an open stage night once a month so we'll see if I have the courage to get up there and perform again.

Monday, April 9, 2007

10:30am and ready to go....

So I haven't been to bed yet, it's 10:30am, thinking about getting on my bike and heading down to the gym to wear myself out so I can kick the insomnia habit.... but maybe not.

Up all night watching marathon sessions of one of those addictive HBO shows. All about suburbia and the struggles of the suburban class. Wow, someone get me a fiddle! Someone didn't get their latte-mocha-frappa-crappa right this morning. Let's start WWIII! It's amazing though, as someone who grew up in suburbia, I can see that there is this huge wall or divide between what happens in the real world and what we're trained to think is important in our burbs.

It's a real challenge to break free of that mentality and realize that we are so far removed from an understanding of the real things it takes to survive on this planet. I mean 'oh my life's so hard, I can't handle raising 2 kids so I'll just hire a nanny to take care of it for me.' What did parents do before the invention of nannies? Hell what do everyday parents do to raise their kids while still holding down 1 or several jobs to pay the bills? They can't hire someone else to clean up after their business.

This urban culture has removed us so far away from the reality of our existence. There is this superficial bubble that surrounds us, glides us along so we can forget about the fact that we are all going to die one day. So am I going to be the one who misses out in the end because I don't have satellite TV or a freakin' SUV or because my idea of a night out does not start with a $100 a plate restaurant?

We are all going to die one day. So what are we doing today, right here, right now? How are we all making the most of our lives? If we died tomorrow, would we feel life coursing through our veins as we took our last breath? Or would we yearn for that to do list of things we must do before we die?

I've been going through this whole who am I, where do I want to be in life, does my life mean anything struggle for the past few months. And I'm starting to realize that I'm spending more time thinking than I am creating. So this morning, no more pondering, I'm throwing back a shot of coffee and heading straight for the gym..... errr maybe after a bit of a nap.

Have a great day wherever you are :-)

*PS I cannot be held responsible for anything in this post as I am mostly delirious right now

Sunday, April 8, 2007

A Letter to the Cheap !@#$ who Stole My Lights

Dear Schmuck,

In my optimistic world, I would like to think that you took my bike lights because you are in more financial dire need than I am and wanted to arrive home safely last Wednesday night.

I try not to be one of those paranoid people living in the city and have trusted leaving those lights on there for the past 3 months of riding. You cheap !@#$ have now made me a little less trusting. From now on, I will take my lights with me.

Perhaps you're unaware of the fact that after leaving my volunteer shift, I had to bike home in darkness on a busy city street where I could have been killed by a driver who didn't see me coming or ahead of them.

Thank you for taking my life in your hands for a grand total of $6.

Karma my friend, karma.

Wind Continues to Haunt Me

I've been a lazy blogger or perhaps a forgetful blogger. A few weeks ago I was having a mini-holy-crap-I-can't-believe-I'm-actually-30 crisis. It seems to have abated now and I am in the acceptance phase. Hey life seems to be getting better with age even if my skin isn't :-)

Early last week I went out for another long distance ride, a very unique one to a Passover dinner. Biking up Yonge Street actually wasn't too bad and shaved some of my time off as well as giving me an opportunity to practice on that huge hill around Davisville. I was in the very last of my gears pushing up that hill and the wind was just brutal I nearly got blown into traffic. Very near the peak of it, I had to get off and push my bike the rest of the way (and even that was a challenge).

At Eglinton I switched and took a bunch of side streets. Duplex is fun. I wound my way up near Sheppard. About 20kms in 1h10mins. Not bad considering how windy it was.

On the way home with a tableful of hardcore Passover food in my gut (much to my family's dismay), I hopped on Betty for the return trip home. It was a bit chilly but warm once I started riding. Flying down Yonge Street at night is unbelievable fun and highly recommended. Downhill it took about 50 minutes using the same route.

Next weekend is my first real training ride (34kms) so the plan is to get out this week and do at least another 20kms. The weather seems poised to ruin my plans however....

Saturday, March 24, 2007

The Current that Runs Through Us

I occasionally stray from my 'checking-in-with-the-news' ban to find out a few details about what's happening in our ever eroding universe.

I happened upon a great Letter to the Editor from last Wednesday's Star regarding an article about cell phone competition and increasing the number of phones in Canada. I really connected with what Joan Blackwood said:

'When did it become necessary to be available to the world 24/7? When did it become necessary to give voice to every thought or notion that crosses someone's mind at any hour of the day or night?'

I've often wondered this myself. I mean really, what did people do before the invention of the cell phone? You might have to go hours or even minutes without being in touch with so-and-so.

I've personally never owned a cell phone (except when I had to when I lived in Japan and couldn't afford a $500 deposit for a landline) and enjoy the fact that I need to get in contact with people for them to know where I am in the world.

But hey, I'm an old-fashioned gal, I still get excited when my friends from Japan send me old-fashioned mail for New Year's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_New_Year). There's something so much more personal and touching about the thought and inconvenience of putting together something for someone you care about.

The other downside of this whole technology blackberry, instant messaging, text messaging, cell phone phenomena is, I miss the silence. Whenever I'm in the city, I find it hard to block out that constant buzzing noise. It really gets under your skin. There's so much electricity flowing through this city, I imagine one futuristic day form now that we will find a way to replace our own bodily fluids with an electric current so that we can email or contact people just out of thin air (see Hana Gitleman's character in Heroes for inspiration).

There's nothing like standing on a crest in the middle of the Australian Outback and being able to see nature for miles. That sound of silence. Being able to tune in to every sound of a snake sliding through the desert. The sound of kookaburras calling to each other. The bounce of a kangaroo as it rushes away from you. That kind of buzz that comes when the temperature is just that side of incredibly hot.

City living disconnects us from one another, from the earth and our natural habitat. Urban living and being attached to our cell phones, SUVs and other forms of convenience take away from the sheer joy of living and breathing and being one with the earth, and all of her elements (fire, water, air, earth).

Every day that the temperature warms up I am that much closer to escaping this electronic-trap and that much closer to some beautiful forest far from the sounds and distractions of this urban life.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

I Froze by Lake Ontario & all I got was this lousy Hypothermia.

Ah yes, yesterday was fun, fun, fun!

2nd extensive bike ride of the season. 20kms+ out to Etobicoke.

The plan was to follow the Lakeshore trail, due to the wind I opted to inhale heaps of pollution through the filthy downtown streets (ooh and dodge cars that don't give a crap about bikers!)

My 1st pit-stop was in Parkdale at No Frills where I scored some yogurt and cheese/pita for my sandwiches. Not exactly a picnic type day so I had to devour most of it in the entrance of the grocery store and in a stairwell at my final destination.

The ride was incredibly windy, despite the beautifully blinding sun beaming down on me. I had to ride in a much lower gear most of the way just to be able to pedal forward. I got lost several times on the way out there. My achilles tendon and knees were just screaming at me the whole way there.

Biking the Queensway was some good scary fun. Always a pleasure to freak drivers out who don't understand why you would opt for pedals. Got somewhat lost in Etobicoke a few times but managed to find my way. No offence to Etobicoke, but ya need some more colour/life injected into your architecture. What a depressing ride at points!

When I finally arrived at my destination I stopped in at a sketchy place that offered cappucchino (because I was frozen and yet all my layers were soaked and I needed some heat to bring me back to life). Best cappucchino ever, the old fashioned way.

On the way up to Kipling subway I got misdirected on Dundas and ended up in Mississauga! Fortunately, it didn't take me long to backtrack.

I am bone tired and still somewhat chilly but it was so worth it! This training to bike to Montreal is going to be the experience of a lifetime :-)

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Friends For Life Bike Rally

Over the past couple of years I have been trying to make up for ignoring physical activity most of my life. Things that involve creativity inevitably always capture my attention first and then I become distracted.

Last year I started running longer distances and competed in a 5K (on New Year's Eve with ice pelting my face) and 10K (in Ottawa on the hottest bloody day in May I've ever experienced there) race. Running those types of distances takes a bit of a toll on the knees, especially when you're not a conditioned athlete.

3 years ago, I learned how to ride a bike (yes at the ripe age of 28!) and now you can't get me off the thing. This is the magic I have been missing my whole life. So Betty (yes that's my bike) pretty well gets me everywhere around the city. Now everything pales by comparison: buses, subways, cars, planes, walking. In fact, it has started to make me hate the traditional car roadtrip that has been a staple of my life since I was knee high to a grasshopper.

So now this crazy Cowgirl needs to up the ante. I've been eyeballing the Friends for Life Rally for the past couple of years, but figured it might be a good idea to consistently remember to come to a full stop before putting my feet on the ground first.

Brief backgrounder: FLBR is a huge successful fundraiser for the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation. Approximately 300 riders participate each summer and are required to bring in at least $2000 in donations to bike. Last year PWA raised $700,000 from this event alone! The ride essentially follows along Lake Ontario from Toronto, 600kms to Montreal. Imagine cycling about 100kms a day!(For more on the route, check out the maps on their site listed below.)

Pending a full exam of my wonky runner's knees, I plan on biking from Toronto to Montreal this summer with the FLBR folks. Even if I can't make it the full 600kms, I plan on training at least so that perhaps next summer I will be ready.

Last weekend I went out for my first ride of the season. There was still some deep snow on parts of the path, huge puddles that were fun to splash in (but not so fun when the wind blew off Lake Ontario afterwards) and plenty of ice to skid around on. Despite all that, it only increased my appetite for more. Oh beautiful biking!

I've seen some great blogs from FLBR participants and I hope to also be able to inspire people with my pictures and tales of training woes over this spring/summer. For more information on the Rally, check out:

http://bikerally.org/index.html

Monday, March 19, 2007

Imagine living in a Tire House!

I wanted to share something really interesting, it's a house built out of tires! It cost them $50k and they own it clear. I've seen the house & it's helping fuel my dreams:

http://www.sunspace.org/en/pottershouse_en.html

Please post your thoughts. I'm interested in what people think about sustainable living.

The Sky Is Falling... No It's Evolution!

Based on a dessert-based conversation and request, I am going to elaborate on what I meant by 'evolution is inevitable' in the context of Judaism (or culture/religion in general):

'One day folks will realize that the true demise of a culture comes when that culture refuses to adapt, grow and change to its new environment. Evolution is inevitable. If synagogues and Jewish 'leaders' in the community continue to ostracize Jews for falling in love with people who aren't Jewish, the culture will eventually die out.'

There exist patterns in the universe. The way our ancestors have interacted with these patterns have altered our DNA. For example, Michael Jordan has developed himself as an exceptional basketball player. His mental sharpness, his ability to move a certain way both on and off the court has now become part of his DNA. He will pass that on. The way our parents move, affects the way we move.Now on to Judaism (culture, religion, etc).

Up until the 1840s, all Jews were Orthodox. Moving over to Canada and the US, suddenly we have the advent of the reform movement. Why? Because new world, different environment, Judaism adapted. Now in the 21st century, living in an increasingly mixed society, our minds are shifting. We don't live in a cultural vacuum. We are exposed to other possibilities, possibilities that can only serve to enrich and enhance how we already perceive ourselves vis-a-vis Judaism.

I have friends or family members who's only Jewish connection is hanging out with other family members. In fact my best friend who's Catholic probably knows more Hebrew words and has probably attended more seder's at this Cowgirl's house than many of the 'tribe'. This is evolution. Her kids will be exposed to this knowledge. They will be exposed to me. It's Judaism, but different than our parent's Judaism.The more insular we become, the less we are able to grow our culture in our minds and hearts in a healthy and positive way that brings us joy and brings us closer to the true knowledge of the universe.

Judaism is not a synagogue. It is not simply the Torah or dipping apples in honey on Rosh Hashana, it comes from within and it comes from our connection to the universe, this place where we dwell.The more institutional we become, the less we are in fact acquainted with Judaism (or any culture). To think otherwise is foolish and a large part of the reason of why people continue to move away from the culture in droves. The more we learn about others on earth, other cultures, traditions, the more we enrich our own. This is evolution.

My kids won't have a 5 hour seder. But they will learn about the story of Exodus and how it is linked to the circular pattern of oppression. For example: people kidnapped and sold into slavery from Africa, women in 3rd world countries helping 1st worlders live more comfortable lives, etc. The story of Exodus means nothing without modern day context. Why do we mourn for ancestors who were slaves 5000 years ago when we say nothing about the genocide in Sudan or young boys being forced to kill in Uganda?

We will never evolve as humans if we cannot see these connections in things.I'm not a religious person, but I have always believed in the story of the Tower of Babel. This is our test now. Societies have lived a part for so many millenniums. We're being tested to see if we can evolve together.

Now I feel rambley and it's time for sleep-land. Bonne Nuit :-)

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Kvetch: About the 'keep it in the tribe' gaggle

One of my real inspirations to start my own blog came from reading blogs this past year, many of whom purport the whole 'keep it in the tribe' philosophy. A few days ago, I came upon this The Urban Kvetch:

http://estherkustanowitz.typepad.com/myurbankvetch2005/2006/02/an_open_letter_.html#comment-63568154

Yet another attack on 'good Jewish boys who've gone to the other side' (meaning hooking up with a *gasp* non-Jewish girl). I'm really sick of all the kvetching about people ruining the Jewish culture because they are falling in love with and building lives with people outside the 'tribe'.One day folks will realize that the true demise of a culture comes when that culture refuses to adapt, grow and change to its new environment.

Evolution is inevitable.

If synagogues and Jewish 'leaders' in the community continue to ostracize Jews for falling in love with people who aren't Jewish, the culture will eventually die out. My living with a Muslim man does not make me any less Jewish. We share our deepest set of values that I have never found in anyone else (Jewish or otherwise).

Love doesn't come in a webpage package or a circumcision or a Jewish middle name. It doesn't come in going to synagogue or keeping kosher. Those things are all secondary to the simple rule: do you connect with this other person on a real personal, intimate, deep-down, life-affirming connection kind of way?When you look into this person's eyes does it make your heart beat just a little bit faster? When this person says something, does it connect with you somewhere deep down in your soul a place you never realized existed within you? Can you picture yourself living with and loving this person for the rest of your life, even if they don't know where the laundry basket is, even if they never wash their dishes? Is there just something about that other person that completes you?

Yes people, this is love!

Can 2 people be Jewish and be in love? Of course. But that cannot be the only factor, it will never be enough, it will never survive!Can a Muslim man and a Jewish woman raise beautiful loving children together who are open to the universe, to their cultures and traditions and who can grow to understand the multiplicity and greatness of all things? Yes of course!Will this relationship mean the death of Judaism? No. It is the evolution of Judaism. It is a new interpretation. It will eventually hopefully mean the death of wars and hatred which stems from differences and misunderstandings that stem from those differences. The more people in this universe meld mingle and mix, the more we will come to understand one another.

I will fight until the day I die this kind of kvetching, this ignorance put forth by fear mongerers that all _________ people should hook up with all ___________ people.

End the fear mongering now. Spread the love. Connect with people because you feel deep in your bones that you cannot live without them in your world, not because your parents are telling you to hook up with someone of your own culture.

End the fear. Stop the hate. Spread the love.

Beginnings

As a gal not born into the real age of technology I have been browsing various sites trying to get a feel for this new world order of connecting in a faceless environment. After posting many rants and raves on other people's pages, I figured that it's time to create my own rambling pasture.

The end of my 20s has been a tumultuous time of soul searching. As I near the number that marks the end of official youthdom, I seek new meaning and direction in my life.I realize that it's time for me to get back to what I really love: performing. I've started taking belly dancing classes and volunteering at an Improv theatre in the hopes of building back up that desire for the stage.

It's also time for me to get back into writing. I will consider this blog to be a testing ground of sorts for some stuff I've written and future works. At least it will give me some incentive to create as opposed to consuming.

So, welcome to Rasslin' Cowgirl’s tales.
I look forward to hearing from people all around the world.