Monthly Archive for February, 2010

An Olympic Future

Published on February 28, 2010 in Thoughts. 0 Comments

I don’t want to detract anything from all the Olympic hype, from the Canadian men’s hockey team winning the gold medal, Kershaw finishing 5th in the men’s 50km mass-start, from another Canadian men’s gold medal in curling, but I just have a few more things to say…

I just finished an article in the Edmonton Journal with some thoughts from silver medalist Helen Upperton.  She drew inspiration from Kristi Richards, who finished 20th in women’s moguls after picking herself up, drawing energy from the once-in-a-lifetime crowd, to hit a big second air.

We have to change the way Canadians view amateur sports and fund amateur sports and keep this momentum going.  Funding amateur sport needs to be as much philosophical as performance-based.

Upperton is not simply calling for governments and corporations to plow money into the upper echelons of sport.  She believes she’s “a truly ordinary person” who grew up playing many sports and none exceptionally well.  She loved it and had a great work ethic.  And when the Calgary Olympics rolled through town, she got her Petro Canada torch and saw the luge and was hooked on the whole thing.  ”You’ve got to start pumping money into grassroots and recreational sports programs and make sure that physical educations stays in the school system.”

It’s all about the amateur sport.  I didn’t used to think that.  I remember being excited when NHL players were going to be allowed into the Olympics in ’98.  But now I think they’re all just overpaid.

It must have been ’98 as well because I remember loving aerials back in grade 6.  I actually set up a ruler on the edge my desk and we flipped erasers and scored them based on each eraser’s air and landing.

I think I may have seemed a little pessimistic toward the Olympics in some of my last posts.  But as I’m watching the closing the ceremonies right now, it’s pretty cool.  It’s amazing how sport can bring so many people together, even people who don’t necessarily like sport.

This is the part we need.  We need to motivate people to be active, to get involved, to go out and do something!  Our society will be so much better off.  If we are active, our kids are active, our communities are active, we will be happier, we will put less strain on the health care system, and we will just be better people.

Get together.  Go out and do something.  Inspire people.

::SAdamson

Tags: Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

spring..??.. Spring. SPRING!!!

Published on February 27, 2010 in Biking. 0 Comments

Spring is here!  For now at least…

Edmonton in February… (I seem to be having issues inserting photos into my posts, but I took some pictures of just how beautiful it was today riding out on the roads!  Wow, roads… Edmonton… February… Wow!!)

But I did go to Victoria for riding week, I mean reading week.  I looked back and figured out that this is the 6th year in a row I’ve been to Victoria for a training camp.  I LOVE THAT PLACE!!!

Victoria camp details:

  • Days.
    • 12
  • Hours.
    • 45.25
  • Distance.
    • 1160
  • TSS.
    • 2048.1
  • ATL.
    • 154.5
  • CTL.
    • 75
  • TSB.
    • -83.8

Yup!  It was pretty good!  But I certainly didn’t much reading done.

Spring to me also brings my favourite pro races of the year.  Today was the beginning, with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad; tomorrow is Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.  I don’t know if I really know what it is, but I just LOVE these races!!  They are so much fun to watch and so motivating!

Spring is here! For now… enjoy it while we can!!!

::SAdamson

Tags: Tags: , , , , , , , , .

What up?!? with Dustin Andrews

Published on February 26, 2010 in What up?!?. 1 Comment

In this segment of What up?!? we catch up with Dustin Andrews.  I don’t know if I remember the first time I met him, but he has really burst onto the scene in the last few years showing some real dedication and talent coming up through the junior ranks and now as an espoir.

SAdamson. So I hear you were causing a ruckus on the shootout when you were in Tucson… what’s the story?

Dustin.  Hahahaha, by causing a ruckus I think you mean getting in the way of the sprint! I was just near the front of the group coming up to the “sprint” and I was hurting before the sprint launched, and someone thought I was a good wheel to follow haha. They had to go around me as I dropped anchor.

SAdamson. Ok, jokes aside, how was the national team training camp down there?

Dustin. The training camp was awesome, lots of good riding with good people. Made me miss riding outside even more (if that’s possible)

SAdamson. You were off for reading week, right?  What are you taking in school now?

Dustin. Yea, the camp was perfect for me, right over reading week. I’m in engineering right now, about year 1.5

SAdamson. Do you find it hard to balance training, school, and having a life?

Dustin. Sometimes I find it hard to balance it all, but that doesn’t happen too often as I’m taking 4 courses (instead of 5 or 6) per semester. That and if it really gets tough I’ll cut out a little bit of homework to get the training done haha. I still get to have a life a couple times a week, so I have it pretty easy. Working full time and training is I’d say 3 times harder, definitely makes school appealing.

SAdamson. Do you usually train alone or with a group?

Dustin. I normally train alone just because I try to fit my workouts in right after classes. Often though I’ll get to train with Marky Mark  (Mcdonald) or Bailey McKnight. Weekends I try to get out with a group though.

SAdamson. You are with H&R Block for another season in 2010, right?  What are your plans with the team this year?

Dustin: I’m back at the Block Party for 2010, my plan with the team is to  race outside of Alberta as much as I can, and hopefully have a couple good bike rides.

SAdamson. What were the highlights of 2009 for you?

Dustin.

  • Top 3 Tuesday  Night Crit
  • Hanging out in PEI for Canada Summer Games
  • Tour de Delta

SAdamson. What is your best memory on a bike?

Dustin. Best memory on a bike is probably the first time I ever had a real good wheelie hahaha

SAdamson. What is the key to your past successes?

Dustin. I guess I would say consistent training through the winter. That and pumping the 45’s at the gym.

SAdamson. What do you think about while you race?

Dustin. I really don’t know, maybe I’m thinking about how I can take advantage of someone? That or I might zone out for half an hour at a time.

SAdamson. What was your first bike?

Dustin.  Purple Giant 6 Speed

SAdamson. What do you do when you’re not riding your bike?

Dustin. For other sports I would say….hiking (with Jamie Sparling pumping the tunes), rock climbing or soccer. When I’m just hanging out I do like the video games, or watch a movie.

SAdamson. The world is ending tomorrow. Describe your last 24 hours.

Dustin.  Hmmm I would say  a quality mountain bike ride with the family, hang out with some friends, and a Nutella/Banana Waffle.

SAdamson. What is your favourite quote?

Dustin. “When he attacks, it’s like getting hit over the head with a club” -Samuel Sanchez talking about Phillipe Gilbert

SAdamson. Any last words of wisdom for any aspiring readers of shaunadamson.com?

Dustin. Haha, I guess I would say figure out what works best for you  for training

SAdamson. Is there anywhere that people can keep up with you and your adventures?

Dustin.  Yeah, on Facebook

Thanks for having me!

SAdamson. No, thank you Dustin!  And good luck with your season.

Tags: Tags: , , , , , , .

Mirror Pond Pale Ale

Published on February 24, 2010 in Beer. 0 Comments

After growing my beer knowledge, excitement, and snobbery before I left for Victoria I was super excited to see what good craft brews I could find there that we don’t have here in Edmonton.  I knew I had some good stuff last year.

So I ventured into the local liquor store in Cadboro Bay and I picked up something.  I don’t even remember what it was now, but after splitting it between 2 nights, I was just not in the mood for beer.  I was tired and just didn’t feel like taking the time.  So I didn’t bother getting any more.

So tonight, I wrote my midterm, came in and cracked open a bottle of Mirror Pond Pale Ale from Deschutes Brewery out of Bend, Oregon.

It pours a nice light golden brown, with a full almost white head, filling my pint glass.

On the nose I get a big whiff of citrus and honey.  A little cardamom in there maybe?

The taste carries that sweet honey flavour, laced with lemon and citrus notes.  It finishes really smooth, with just enough hops to make it interesting.

It has a medium-bodied mouthfeel.  It seems like a good beer for most occasions.  I can see it going well with lemon chicken, maybe a pork burger, or on its own on the patio on a sunny afternoon.

As I drink it, I’m getting something else… but I just can’t tell quite what.  But it’s good.  While not the best beer I’ve ever had, I can see it being somewhat of a staple.  An easy go-to beer.

::SAdamson

Tags: Tags: , , , , , , .

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea

Published on February 24, 2010 in Chef Shaun, Life and Thoughts. 0 Comments

I’m feeling the need to be held accountable to what I’m doing.

Or maybe I just have some extra energy from not having ridden my bike more than an hour today for the first time in 14 days…

Or maybe I’m motivated by coming home from the hipster lifestyle that is Victoria and Vancouver… (Man, I really want to live somewhere where I can to the family store and get locally grown and produced quality stuff!)

Or maybe I just don’t want to study right now…

But I am going to try and document more of my baking and cooking and eating and tasting on here a little more.  I do like food and flavours!  And if you don’t like it, well then don’t read it; and if you really don’t like it, then tell me and I’ll stop.

But I got home to none of my homemade bread products last night and I have become a real snob, so I can hardly eat any processed bread at all!  Not the worst thing in the world, but sometimes just makes life-planning (food and eating) slightly more difficult.

Tonight I feel like experimenting.  How about some combination of my new favourite teff flour and something more simple, semolina.  And given the fact that I’m trying to wean myself off of my mom’s mixer, I just started dumping stuff in the bowl.  Here is what I put in there:

  • 130g semolina flour
  • 100g teff flour
  • 15g fennel seed
  • 10g salt
  • 5g yeast
  • 25g honey
  • 20g butter
  • 150g whole wheat bread flour
  • 350g bread flour
  • 500g water

Mix with a spoon until a loose ball is formed.  Scrape dough onto the counter, begin kneading adding more white flour as needed.  I think I could have put more flour in during the kneading process than I did, because it came out quite moist and didn’t rise super well.

Let rise until doubled in size, about 2-2.5 hours.

Flour counter and lightly shape dough into a rectangle, cut in half, then roll each into a log and place in a greased loaf pan.  Let rise until doubled again, about 2 hours.

Place in 375° oven for 30-35 minutes.

After smelling the kitchen as it was baking, I was thinking I put in way too much fennel, but after eating the first slice, it turned out not too bad.  Not my best loaf, but still good.

::SAdamson

Tags: Tags: , , .

“Greatest guy in the world”

Published on February 22, 2010 in Thoughts. 0 Comments

Well said Jerry, well said.

::SAdamson

Tags: Tags: , , , , .

If You Say So

Published on February 21, 2010 in Life. 0 Comments

After another wonderful sunny day in Victoria, I actually had enough energy and found the motivation to go out to The Place.  Thanks to Nathan for telling me about it and thanks to Dan for lending me his commuter for the 3km trip.

But mostly thanks to getting me out the door.  Getting me to go out at all and do almost anything is difficult.  But to go to a church I don’t know, by myself, not in my city, when I’m tired could be deemed nearly impossible.

I got there no problem (of course, thanks to my iPhone) and found a place to sit.  There was even somebody who sat next to me and started talking.  I knew the songs, I understood the liturgy, the teaching was good.  It was just good to there!

But then, everything started to be awesome!

I had been thinking about Lent and what I was going to do.  I didn’t have any brilliant ideas.  My best was to wake up each morning half an hour early and spend that time in silence with God.  I knew I would find that logistically difficult when I only have an alarm 3 days per week.  So for only $2 I was able to pick up a Devotions for Lent book!  Wonderful!

And, if that wasn’t enough, while I was waiting to give my money for the book there was a lady in front of me that I definitely recognized… I figured it out and asked if she was involved with Young Life in Sherwood Park.  Of course, it was Sherry Priestly!  I re-introduced myself and she even recognized me.  We caught up briefly and I said hi to her husband Rob.

What a day!  And to top it all off I conversed with a pretty girl unlocking her bike while I was unlocking Dan’s!  I couldn’t have planned a better Sunday myself if I tried!

Spectacular (right Mike?)!

::SAdamson

 

Tags: Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

You couldn’t make this stuff up

Published on February 21, 2010 in Biking. 0 Comments

Oh boy! What a Saturday!

We ventured out on our bikes today (of course!). We had all kinds of time before Colter had to be back so he could catch his flight, so nothing to worry about. We ripped tempo up Millstream, threshold up the Malahat and goldstream ridge. Then we headed down to Shawnigan Lake, grabbed some food, and got some directions. The lady in the store said there were cars backed up forever on the Malahat; but of course we would be fine, we were on bikes.

So we rolled along the ocean, commenting on just how beautiful it is. We made fun of Roddi as we climbed out of Mill Bay. We soon decided Roddi is too much of a megachamp to make any insults stick.

As we weaved through the parked cars, Colter dropping them like they were standing still (haha, they were standing still!), we thought life couldn’t be any better. Turns out life could be better as the fire chief said we were too speedy to get special access through the police tape. We considered bushwhacking around the crime scene but the Victorian cougars are just not something to be taken lightly. I asked if there was any other way out, but to no avail…

At least it was all downhill to the Mill Bay Ferry.  It must have been serious as the police even came down to the ferry looking for somebody who may have been seen on the shore.  Hmm… Colter what did you do this time?

$11.50 and 25 minutes later, we found ourselves in Brentwood Bay.  C’mon Colter, we’re having fun!  It’s all part of the adventure.

Yup, you really can’t make this stuff up!

::SAdamson

Tags:

More

Published on February 20, 2010 in Thoughts. 0 Comments

Simple title, lots and lots of thoughts!

I think my previous Olympics/money/sport posts have been taken in a different light than I was intending.  But I got lots of good comments and feedback, so thanks.  After re-reading my posts I think I just said what I was trying to say poorly (what else is new?!?).

But after getting a chance to go downtown in Vancouver yesterday, I got a renewed perspective.  Not a new perspective, but a reminder of what I thought or was trying to say.

Sport is a great thing!  People are great.  Sport bringing people together must then be really, really great!  No?

I don’t know if that’s what the Olympics has really come to.  But I certainly appreciate the sport.  I appreciate that it brings people and fans together to cheer on their favourites!  I like when Olympians encourage kids to try new things, to push their limits, to motivate them!  That is one great aspect of the Olympics!

And sports and athletes are unreal!  That’s all I have to say!

I LIKE THE OLYMPICS!!!

But are they the best for society?  That’s what I don’t know.

::SAdamson

Tags: Tags: , , , , , , , .

Victorian Adventures

Published on February 19, 2010 in Life. 1 Comment

So after much deliberation I decided to make the trek across the ocean to visit Carrie and Mike in the Olympic city.

I had been deliberating if it was worth it to pay for the ferry and deal with the stresses of the logistics of simply travelling.  Turns out it was a good decision.  After doing my workout, I grabbed my backpack and rode to the ferry.  I waited, got changed, and when we were boarding I met a couple of cool cyclists.  They had been touring around the island after attempting to avoid the chaos of the Olympics in Vancouver.  We had some good conversations and it made my ferry ride much more memorable.

Then I waited for Carrie and Mike and it was just great to see them.  Just giving them hugs and getting into the car made the trip worthwhile.  Mike made some delicious pizza and then we had some good conversation.  I love this place!  This morning I woke up and walked to 49th Parallel.  I searched, unsuccessfully, for Elysian Coffee.  I will make it there before I leave.  And everything that is awesome is just around the corner.  There is lots of cool shopping just down the street.  I could certainly live here!

I don’t know what’s on tap for today… but hopefully not too much.  My legs hurt pretty bad!  I will make the most of my last few days in this beautiful sunshine before I have to back to snowy Edmonton on Monday.

::SAdamson

Tags: Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .