Cross Country Skiing

Last weekend for the Family Day holiday. Christina and I drove out East of Sherwood Park to go cross country skiing. We have been talking about going for some time but always found an excuse to not go - it was too cold, too warm, too lazy...

I'm not sure when the last time I went skiing was. I'm guessing it was back in grade 8 or 9 at Dixon. Meanwhile, Christina had never gone cross country skiing before so we weren't sure how much was fun we would actually have.

We arrived at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre around 10am figuring we would be able to beat the crowds. There were a few hardcores out there already but we had no problem getting equipment (first come first served).

The skis were waxless and really sharp looking. After a bit of wrangling we worked our way to the groomed trails and into the tracks. I slipped in first and took off right away. I wasn't very smooth and I ended up pushing with my shoulders more than my legs but I was pretty comfortable. Christina took a little bit more time to figure things out. She didn't seem to trust herself too much and was taking really small 'steps'. The first lap we took was quite slow.

Eventually we both got better and started to enjoy ourselves. I tried going free style and fell - Christina started taking larger 'steps'.

We ended up taking a few different routes and probably skied a total of 8kms. It was a great workout and in the -6 weather I built up quite a sweat.

Pics below.

Christina's model form.

          Our shoes were pretty sweet - they had an outside liner that kind of made them look like spats.

  Christina taking a well deserved break.

               Watch Christina gracefully get up from her bench break.

       I started to overheat and chowed down on some snow.

I am not really sure what I'm doing here.

This is my new favorite picture of Christina. Check out the hot ski bunny with the rosy cheeks.

I am already looking forward to our next trip skiing. Hopefully we can find the time in March.

Now back to typical content

Seen at the Edmonton City Centre Mall.

Also seen at Edmonton City Centre Mall.

Francis Kehrig

Five years ago today we lost my father Francis Kehrig to Cancer. Sometimes it seems like it was just yesterday and sometimes it seems so long ago.

My father and I grew up in very different times and circumstances. Dad remembered when he was a youth his family had difficulty finding 2 cents to send a letter. He left school at 16 to essentially 'make his way' in the big world.  He worked hard, in often times a very physical manner, whether it was clearing bush or driving heavy machinery. He sent money home to his family and he saved his earnings to purchase land and equipment. Eventually he met a nice woman, had some kids and did his best to provide for them so they could have a better life then he himself had.

Growing up I never wanted for anything. I always had a gift under the tree at Christmas.  I was chauffeured to the hockey rink twice a week.  I went to University and wasn't saddled with obscene debt.  I'm barely self-sustaining today at 31 compared to my father at 16.

My father was not the type to heap praise on anyone. He worked hard and expected others to do the same. That was the expectation - working hard was the reward in itself. He never really let on if he was proud of me or disappointed at any given time. I never really knew.  When he was still alive it never bothered me. Now that he is gone, it has become a point of contention for me. Not retro-actively but in my situation and life today.

It is easy to beatify the dead, and I recognize that my father was not perfect but I feel that I have not lived up to himself and his example set. My father was the first to admit that times have changed and he felt that it was much harder for a person to 'establish' themselves today. But it's more than that. I take too much for granted. I am soft. I am spoiled. I indulge too much. I haven't had to sacrifice much and when I do, I complain.

I don't put much stock in the ideas of a Christian (or any other religions) afterlife. My father is alive today through me, my siblings, my mother, and all the people that he affected over the course of his life. When I take stock of his memory, my legacy (and in part his) I recognize that I must change. I'm doing himself and myself a disservice. I don't know the next steps. I don't know how best to determine them. I'll get there, I was taught to learn from my mistakes. I just wish that I had my fathers counsel rather than his example.

Kevin and Mindy

A little while back Kevin and Melinda rolled through Edmonton for some R&R at the big mall.  I got the chance to meet up with them for Supper.

I have been lucky enough to have many role models in my life and outside of my direct family Kevin and Melinda are one of the best 'couples' role models you could have. They have been married now for 10 years and have had quite a ride together going from the cool kids of the Christian set to living in Africa to Las Vegas Elvis re-nuptials to Grande Prairie living.

I can be a bit of a downer sometimes and somehow they always seem so "up". So, whenever I get the chance for a visit I really enjoy myself.

Some pics.

 Check out those pipes!

 A couple of good looking ladies.

Thanks for the visit Kevin and Melinda. I got to get up to Grande Prairie.

Winter in Edmonton

It's been a typical atypical winter in Edmonton. We have had large swings of weather of ~30 degrees in 24 hours, tons of snow, early melting and then more snow.

Below are some of my favorite fun in the snow shots from Edmonton.

Earlier in Edmonton we had a huge snow dump. Christina's entire cul-de-sac was totally snowed in. I came by to help her shovel her driveway.

Christina is a pretty good little shoveler and apparently also an artist as she built herself a throne to survey her work.

I got a little frosted over during the shoveling.

Christina bought a pair of snow shoes last year and likes to trudge around in the park near her place. When it's a little cold out the smokestacks way in the distance really add to the nuclear wasteland aesthetics. Its like the Road Warrior set in the arctic instead of Australia (sorry for low-res picture, taken from my BB).

Eventually Christina got tuckered out and ended up laying down in the snow. I took the liberty of sprucing up her outline to make her a true snow bunny.

It's hard to see here but when I took a break my legs were so hot that I was steaming.

I mentioned above that we have had some crazy weather swings. Christina believes in always being prepared and has a couple of boot options. 

Her Ukrainian heritage really shines through when she wears her stylish rubber boots.

Excuses

Question: You haven't been updating your blog much lately, what have you been up to?

Answer: I've just been hanging out and making tuna fish sandwiches.

That's whats up!

Wonder Woman

Seen at West Edmonton Mall today.

Sweet.

Bullriding

A couple weeks back I got free tickets to the PBR bullriding competition at Rexall place here in Edmonton. I haven't been to a proper rodeo since I was young and I don't really have any memory of it.

I quite like the archetype of cowboys and my current urban living and office working lifestyle seems terribly effeminate in comparison. Watching men harass large animals somehow really appeals to me. Plus, I am a sucker for cowgirls and their tight fitting jeans.

 Bucked off. This guy bit it hard.

 Getting a good action shot was difficult from my seat as I'm an idiot when it comes to shutter speed settings.

A couple videos for your viewing pleasure.

A quick buck off.

One of my favorite parts of the event was watching the bulls after the ride. Some went straight back through the chute, others hung around being generally badass.