Tag Archive for 'Life'

Ottawa Adventures

Published on August 19, 2010 in Biking and Life. 1 Comment

I realized this summer that I was going to need a new passport, so I got the form, filled it out, printed it off, and headed downtown to the passport office. Now it’s a pretty simple trip, just walking to Fallowfield Station, getting on the 95 and getting off on Bank St. The only hitch was that I needed to get my passport photos done along the way. I was a little concerned, but I guess there are lots of places that do passport photos right by the passport office… somebody is a thinker…

I go up to the desk and she flips through my passport, “this is damaged.” I told her I washed it and it had worked before, so I figured it was still all good… but, “you’ll need to fill out a new form and get a whole new passport.” Lovely.

I had to get my parents to mail me my birth certificate, so I waited for that and when it came late on Monday, I was out the door on Tuesday to catch the 95 again. At least this I knew exactly where I was going and didn’t have to make a pit-stop for my photos. But when I got to the counter this time, he said I needed to fill out a damaged passport form. Thanks for telling me that the last time!

But I did have a really nice agent who told me where I needed to go to get this new form signed and he processed my application and told me just to drop off the form later. So, one thing done.

Things always seem farther away when you don’t actually know where you’re going. I managed to find my way to the address he directed me, and realized I made my way to city hall. Well, that’s kind of cool. But it cost $37 to get this guy to sign this piece of paper… oh boy!

I then dropped off the form and got back on the 95 and headed home… yes, adventures in Ottawa…

But let’s get to what you really want to know… “Why do you need a new passport, Shaun?”

This is why!

Yup, I’m going to Belgium for real! And I am also very, very poor now! Livin’ the dream!!!

::SAdamson

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Who are you?

Published on June 6, 2010 in Life and Thoughts. 1 Comment

Well… What do you do? Where are you going?

Sure… Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are you doing there? Who are you with?

These can certainly be big questions! But I think at some point they need to be considered; if not answered, even inconclusively.

There are many motivations driving the answers behind these questions. What do I want to do? What makes me happy? What do my parents want me to do? What will make me the most money? Bring me the most fame?

What does God want me to do?

From the Art of Manliness‘ post pondering What is a Vocation?

“The deepest vocational question is not “What ought I to do with my life?” It is the more elemental and demanding ‘Who am I? What is my nature?’” -Parker J. Palmer

The etymology of vocation versus career is most revealing. The word vocation comes from the Latin word “vocare” or “to call.” It denotes a voice summoning a person to a unique purpose. The word career derives from the Latin word for cart and the Middle French word for race track. It denotes quickly moving in a circle, never going anywhere.

Man was made to embrace his unique destiny, not soldier on as a hamster in a wheel.

As I ponder this myself, I think about what I feel like I am good at, what I enjoy, how I can serve, how I can bring joy to others.

I know that

  • I love cooking and want to be able to invite others into my home to enjoy meals.
  • I would like to have a wife and kids.
  • I would like to find joy and contentment in the small things and show others how to do the same.
  • I would like to help others who find themselves in difficult situations.
  • I would like to give everyone the opportunities and the means to follow their dreams and passions. For this one I look to my parents, without whom I wouldn’t have half the experiences I have had, nor would I be where I am today doing what I’m doing, doing what I love.
  • I want to teach or show others how to be.

This post hasn’t gone at all in the direction that I had originally planned… I was going to pose the question, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” And then try to answer it myself. But maybe I have no idea how to answer it or what my answer would be…

Maybe in 5 years I want to be doing all the things in my list…

I certainly don’t know where I will be. I don’t know who I will be there with. I don’t know what exactly I will be doing. But I know that I want to be doing those things. Of course, that’s all assuming that those are also things that God wants me to be doing… Boy, I sure hope so…

Ask yourself… where do you see yourself in 5 years?

::SAdamson

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Drastically different

Published on May 8, 2010 in Biking and Life. 0 Comments

The weather…

I left Edmonton in the middle of a snowstorm to arrive in sunny, warm, beautiful Ottawa. I had one of my warmest rides of the year on Wednesday, then I wake up to ride in the cold and wet weather today… I don’t remember the last time I had that big of a change in 4 days.

My hands…

Oh man, I can’t believe how cold my hands have been! Today, Everything was warm, except my hands, my hands were cold even while wearing wearing my nice warm gloves; I guess it’s a good thing I’m not getting married… oh wait, that’s cold feet. Haha, I’m so funny! And yesterday, on a simple recovery ride my hands were cold and my whole core was sweating. Weird…

The undershirt…

Vicki did warn me on that first warm Wednesday that I might change my mind about undershirts. I’m used to wearing one until it’s about 35 degrees. But that day and Thursday my core was sweating like crazy! I guess I’ll have to rethink the undershirt.

The bike…

Oh man! Don’t even get me started. This thing is super duper wickedawesome!!! Thanks to The Cyclery and Scott and everybody who made this all happen!

::SAdamson

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What up?!? with Spencer Smitheman

Published on April 18, 2010 in What up?!?. 0 Comments

Today we talk with Spencer Smitheman and catch up on what he’s been up to and what his plans are for 2010. We had a few communication delays, so some of the news is a little old, but still good. Enjoy.

SAdamson. I seem to remember you racing with Juventus as a little kid, but then all of a sudden you were at the Junior Road World Championships, the Cyclocross World Championships, then racing on an espoir team in France, then you got on the NOW-MS Society, and now you’re Hagens-Berman… what’s it been like moving around all the time?

Spencer. I’ve actually enjoyed the moving around so far. Of course I enjoy riding with the same riders as you make friendships on every team and it would be nice to stay with a team for longer, but as of right now, forward progress is the goal. It is all about finding opportunities to continue developing and progress in the sport.

SAdamson. How did all those opportunities come about?

Spencer. As a junior I raced in Nice with a French junior team and after a decent ride at Junior Worlds, they helped me find a spot with a high level amateur team, Creusot Cyclisme in central France. It was a great opportunity, especially riding with Jean-Cristophe Peraud who just signed with Omega-Pharma Lotto, but it cracked me a bit as a first year espoir. I decided I would like to try my my luck in the domestic US scene and NOW-MS Society was eager to bring me on. So I spent the 2009 season racing out of LA and while I enjoyed the team and lifestyle, the criterium heavy SoCal cycling calendar didn’t quite suit my abilities. So I noticed Hagens Berman’s program based around NRC and stage race events as well as their history in developing riders into the pro ranks and jumped when the opportunity came to fruition.

SAdamson. So where are you living and training now?

Spencer. Right now I am somewhat homeless, that is I am travelling so much I don’t know where to call home. Right now I am calling Tielt-Winge, Belgium home, but true home is still Devon, AB.

SAdamson. After the National Team camp in Tucson, I saw your name on the list for the Euro campaign… when do you leave? Do you know what races you’re doing?

Spencer. I actually left on Tuesday and have been here in Belgium for a few days now! Our race calender is something I am quite thrilled about. It is based around the three UCI U23 Nations Cups in April – Tour des Flandres U23 in Belgium, La Cote Picarde in France, and ZLM Tour in The Netherlands. The other big race which I am really pumped about is the UCI 1.2 Ronde van Overijssel in Holland at the end of the month. Besides that we’ll race some Belgian National Calendar races and Kermesses.

SAdamson. Where are you basing yourself for most of the season?

Spencer. As I mentioned earlier, I have been all over the place, but for the most part I will be in the Seattle area where Hagens Berman is based.

SAdamson. What races are you doing with Hagens Berman for 2010?

Spencer. Hagens has a great calendar this year. What races I do with them largely depends on the National Team schedule and which projects I am selected for. The team schedule includes Redlands, Tour of Walla Walla, Cherry Blossom Classic, Joe Martin, Mt. Hood, Tour of America`s Dairyland, Cascade Classic, Tour of Utah, Green Mountain Stage Race and Univest.

SAdamson. What were your highlights from 2009?

Spencer. The biggest highlight of last year has to be making the winning break at the National Road Championships, but I also really enjoyed Redlands and Cascade and felt I adapted well to the NRC level.

SAdamson. Where is the national team house in Tielt-Winge? It can’t be that far from where I stayed with Jos the first year I raced cross over there!

Spencer. The national team base is definitely one of the houses you stayed at in Tielt. Jos and Tim are the renters and we have two houses set up here, one for the women’s team and one for the U23.

SAdamson. And you’re slowly working away at school at the UofA? What are you taking? Do you find it hard to pick up and leave for 8 months and then try and get back into the studying habit?

Spencer. Yeah, I tell people I am on the 8 year undergrad schedule. It seems strange to be only half-way through when friends from high school are finishing up. I’m majoring in Linguistics right now; essentially the intricacies and interconnection of language and languages. I actually like the 8 month hiatus because it gives me a chance to focus on one thing at a time and do it wholeheartedly. By the end of the cycling season, I am happy to stimulate my brain, but after a tough semester, I like getting out on the bike for a few hours.

SAdamson. If cycling doesn’t turn into a full-blown career for you what would you like to do? Or maybe a better question is where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Spencer. Cycling is definitely the career I have in mind, but I can see myself working as a journalist. It must be the travel and changing perspective that seems so appealing. I’m only 20, I better still be racing in 5 years!

SAdamson. Haha, ok good. But what do you do when you’re not riding your bike?

Spencer. When I am not riding my bike, I rest like a champion! But honestly I will read, play around on my guitar, watch a movie, and more and more am getting into cooking. I guess it comes with the appetite.

SAdamson. What do you think about while you race?

Spencer. I try to stay in the moment and stay aware of what is going on . Especially as is the case here in Europe, if you start day dreaming, a break will get away without you seeing it or you’ll get caught back in a crosswind section. That said sometimes my mind will wander and in that case the range is rather large.

SAdamson. What’s your favourite quote?

Spencer. “To prepare for a race there is nothing better than a good pheasant, some champagne and a woman.” -Jacques Anquetil

SAdamson. You’ve always seemed to carve your own path, but manage to stay dedicated to it. What advice would you give to any aspiring racers out there?

Spencer. I would advise to find a way to race your bike where it will be the most challenging because that is where you learn the most. That usually means going to Europe. The racing isn’t just fast, but aggressive, technical and extremely tactical. Europe is where you really learn to race your bike.

SAdamson. Is there anywhere that your fans can keep up with your adventures?

Spencer. I have a blog which I update semi-regularly. If you would like to follow me, check it out

SAdamson. Will you come home to Edmonton to race Nationals this year?

Spencer. I have been having dreams of standing on top of the podium at home after racing the roads I ride every day and past the University I attend. So, a very strong YES in response to your question.

Thanks for the interview Shaun!

SAdamson. No, thank you Spencer!!

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Yeah? Or something like that? Maybe?

Published on March 9, 2010 in Life and Thoughts. 0 Comments

Thanks Tom.  Thanks for all the good people in the world.  Every single person out there that makes the world go ’round… Thanks!

I think this letter sums up a lot of what has been on my mind.  I don’t have the same motivation bringing me to same conclusions (by conclusions, I mean questions), but I do come to a similar place in the end.  If you’ve been reading my blog, this has hopefully been coming through in a lot of my posts.

As the boss puts it, there are two major questions at play here:

  • One is in the meaning or importance or role of sports in society.
  • The second is the idea of simply being good at whatever it is that you do.  It doesn’t matter what it is that you do, just that you do it honestly, sincerely, excellently.

Let me take you back to an old post and this video…

And another video with Adam Kreek; it is actually Mr. Whitfield who pointed me over to this clip…

There are so many things going on here.  I could go on for days and write so many posts about all the great things these guys say.  But I’ll let you mull them over and maybe come back later…

But here is an idea I borrowed from John Verheul:

It’s the idea that even 1% can help.  For all those that have helped me, I want to pass the buck.  One day soon, I also want to pass on more than that; I want to pass on my time!

There are so many people out there who need help.  There are so many people who don’t have the same opportunities.  There are so many people out there who are struggling in pain.

Many people in developing countries.  Many people that live in my neighbourhood.  Young kids.  Adults.  Elders.  Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes!

I want to do my part.  My first 1% will be Kidsport.  After all, that is the idea that has stimulated so many  of my blog posts in the last little while!  That is why I believe in the Olympics and elite sport.  So at least 1% of all revenues generated from Shaun Adamson Training and the Shaun Adamson Supporters Club will be donated!

Thanks to everyone who has helped me reach for my dreams thus far and to all those will help me to make my dreams in the future.  I just hope I can pass on as much as I have received!

::SAdamson

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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

 

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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

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Yeah, that’s what I meant

Published on February 15, 2010 in Thoughts. 0 Comments

1 Corinthians 13:1-10

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

Thanks Stew.

::SAdamson

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Care

Published on January 30, 2010 in Thoughts. 0 Comments

Can you do me favour?

If you do one thing in your lifetime, can you care about something.

I just finished watching Food, inc. and it was spectacular!  I am easily the kind of guy who could get super motivated to go out and change the whole world.  But then I would realize that I can’t and I would just become a grumpy old cynic.

So when I ask you to care about something.  I mean, not so passionately that everything else falls apart, but to have a passion for something you love.  To follow that dream.  To make the world a better place.  To make somebody smile.  To give somebody a hug.  To help somebody.  That’s all.  The little things that don’t seem to a difference.  Care about those!

And now I hope I’m not infringing on any copyright laws here, but I heard a couple quotes in the documentary that really hit it home!  So here they are:

I have no desire to scale up or get bigger.  My desire is to produce the best food in the world and heel.  And if in doing so, more people come to our corner and want stuff then heaven help me figure out how to meet the need without compromising the integrity.

I have absolutely no desire to be [too big].  As soon as you grasp for that growth, you’re going to view your customer differently, you’re going to view your product differently, you’re going to view your business differently; you’re going to view everything that is the most important, you’re going to view that differently.

The average consumer doesn’t feel very responsible, that you yourself cannot make real changes.  But each time you buy something, you are voting for organic or not, for local or not.  Individual consumers caused change in the biggest company in the world.  You can make changes too.

It costs more, in this country, to eat well than it does to eat badly.  Some people simply don’t have the money.  That’s why we need changes in the policy level; so we can have carrots be cheaper than the chips.

Imagine what it would be if as a national policy we said we would be successful if we have fewer people going to the hospital next year than we did this year.  The idea would be to have such nutritionally dense, unadulterated food that the people who ate it felt better, had more energy, and weren’t sick as much.  That’s a noble goal.

You can vote to change the system.  Three times a day.

Buy from companies that treat workers, animals, and the environment with respect.

When you go to the supermarket, choose foods that are in season, know what’s in your food, read labels.

Buy foods that are grown locally.  Shop at farmers markets.  Plant a garden (even a small one).

I hope something there hits home, because it really does motivate me.  Not only to be a better, smarter consumer of food, but just a better human being, a more useful individual in society, to make changes for the better!

::SAdamson

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Show me the money!

Published on December 29, 2009 in Life and Thoughts. 0 Comments

I think I’m in love with lining up some classic movie quotes with my current thoughts…

I was bored, looking through my phone, and I found a recording I made of my dad when we were driving a few weeks ago.  We had had some salary, job, volunteering, money conversations.  In light of those, this is what he said:

Would I do my job for less money?

  • Yeah.

Would I do my job for more money?

  • Well, yeah.

Do I need more money for my job?

  • No.

Would I go on strike to make more money?

  • No.

Do I expect more money for my job?

  • No.

People should do their jobs because they love the job or love the work.

Thanks Dad.

In light of my many thoughts on money and jobs and pay and what is fair, I think this is fitting.  There are many more thoughts in my head, that will hopefully reach you soon.  Do you have anything to add?

::SAdamson

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