Saturday, November 28, 2009

Rave Run....Marin County

I went for an amazing run in Marin County, California. It was all the better as I've been pretty sick for weeks, so haven't done much of anything. so....as usual started with a "gentle" 5 miles over hill and dale. Check out the views! How awesome!

gorgeous light :)

sun setting over the Pacific


my excellent trail guide, and guide to excellent trails, Eric

Friday, November 27, 2009

Black Friday

As mentioned, I was in California for my first Black Friday ever...... This is a day of True Shopping Madness!!!!!! And the day after Thanksgiving.

Sorry to disappoint, but I skipped the 4AM sales, and instead opted for a very relaxed of local boutique browsing in Mill Valley, Marin County, CA. I spent less than $100, and I don't know if that makes me a Patriot or not? (Perhaps an American can clarify if I've qualified?)

I did, however, have a California Moment. these happen from time to time when I come down here. It's a sudden realisation that I am doing something that, to me, is the Essence of California Dreamin'.
This time it was having a wonderful lunch out with the ladies. It wasn't only that we had a lovely lunch, but that we enjoyed lunch with a glass of Prosecco. That's what Ladies Who Lunch do!!

Ladies Lunching (L to R): Julia from Russia, Jane, me, Judy, Jill (my wonderful hostess)

And thanks especially to Judy for picking up the tab :)

American Thanksgiving

I spent my first American Thanksgiving in Mill Valley, which is just outside San Francisco, California. Have I mentioned recently that I love California???? I really do.





My hosts were Woody and Jill, and they had 17 guests. Holy cow. And the most beautiful table I have ever seen.



It's interesting, as we have the same holiday in Canada, with a few similarities:

  • end of harvest family holiday
  • lots of food
  • fun

and a few differences:

  • earlier eating (we sat at 4 PM, rather than 6ish up north)
  • started the day with Macy's Christmas Parade
  • lots of football on tv
  • falls on Thursday, while we celebrate on Sunday or Monday
  • November holiday, and Cdn Thanksgiving is in October
  • Black Friday shopping is the following day (rather like our Boxing day sales the day after Christmas)

Anyway, it was a great day, and I am thanksful to Jill and Eric for their wonderful hospitality.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Handsomest Dog in the World



Sorry Carol, you are wrong. Macdog really is the best-looking dog ever. Whihc is good. It compensates for being the Most Terrible Dog in the World.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Cactus MacDoggie


Mackenzie sniffed a cactus. Poor fella! He still has spines embedded in his nose a week later :(

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Yoga Workshop

People have been asking why I have not posted much this month.

Here's a big part of why.... I took a yoga workshop! 15 hours in 3 days, was KILLER, and there are 2 words to describe it: 1. Worthwhile. 2. Exhaustion.






a new, easier way to practise handstand. (I LOVE handstands!)


Wall Star - a variation on side plank

Abridged yoga glossary:

downward facing dog - classic yoga pose, in an inverted V on your hands and feet. (Think about how a dog or cat looks when stretching)
plank - top of a push-up
chaduranga - bottom of a push-up
cobra - pose starts from facedown, keep legs on floor, then straighten arms as you arch back. Resembles a cobra snake about to strike!
child's pose - a resting pose done in kneeling position, then bend forward and rest your forehead on the floor with your arms resting outstretched above your head on the mat
_______________________________
By Sunday, after approximately 5 million planks and 400 bazillion downward facing dogs and a couple zillion chadurangas, I was hitting the yogic wall. I thought the instructor said, "child's pose", and it took a couple seconds to realise he said, "plank". Again. Again? Out loud, I said, "F*&#" quickly followed by "oops, hahahhahahha".
FYI, it's sorta frowned upon to swear at yoga.
So then the yogi started goading us into action: "OK, if you are a total wimp, you can go into cobra from lying on the floor. But if you're hard core, you'll go there from chaduranga first. [grrrrr]"
Yes, I am absolutely that easily manipulated, so sure enough, I snapped my body into the bottom of a push-up, gaining praise from the Yoga Nazi at the front of the room. I lifted my whole body off the floor....except my boobs. They were too dang heavy! Just couldn't do it.... There was much laughter inside my head.

look closely at the grimace used to hold a pose after a looooooong weekend. (and the terrible alignment....oh, the shame of having poor alignment captured on film)