dragonboat: day 1 - a cry for help. day 2: championship!

I was a paddler on an amateur dragonboat team this summer. After we practiced at Sunnyside for a few weeks, what began as a cold, miserable, and losing final competition ended in a huge surprise: Championship!

This past Saturday, Major League Dragonboat hosted races for corporate competitors in a two-day event. I would honestly describe Day One as a solid eight hour cry for help. As I biked 30 minutes in the rain to get to the race, I thought to myself "... There are people in this world who paddle a boat out of necessity, and did not pay money to put themselves through this misery. Would people describe what I'm doing as, 'stupid'?"

I arrived freezing cold with soaked running shoes cold. My team slowly trickled to the site, and we didn't get a chance to set up our tent before the first race. So we just kept getting wet. Even after our first race, we all dispersed for shelter. But it kept raining and we were also wet for our final race. We were muddy, cold, hungry. Losing. Again, what adjective is appropriate for this situation? 

Day Two, however, was the complete opposite in every single way. The skies cleared, and we all showed up dry and happy! Our VP brought water and snacks for the team, and we were placed in heats against other teams similar to our time. However, our first race was one-on-one race, as oppose to our usual competition against five other boats. We lost. As counter intuitive as it may seem, it's way more depressing in a one-on-one race than to lose against five other boats simultaneously.

But we actually found out that we placed second in our division overall so far. We were going to face the other boat, Pink Sensation paddling for the breast cancer cause, again. During our massive break before our final second race, a plan was schemed to improve our start technique, So when we finally lined up at the start line, we just gave it our all. We yelled, and it's awesome how much faster you go when everyone firing on all cylinders. As we approached the finish line, we thought we saw Pink Sensation drift ahead of us. Nonetheless, we got off the boat still pretty pleased with ourselves. As someone described, "It was the first time there were boats behind us!"

But we lined up to high five each other, and the organizer said 'Congrats, you guys won!' I freaked out. As we received our medals, the announcer said "Congrats Division G Champs! ... And it appears, nobody is more surprised than the team themselves!" Bahaha... because it's true.

So yah, there's a lot that can be accomplished when everyone's on the same boat (haha..) =D And medals are always cool to have.

fire engine red nails

I had a manicure done at the very luxurious Elmwood Spa with a girlfriend. The reason why I bring this up is two fold:

1. I thought spending 45 minutes on your nails is utter madness. That's like how long it takes to cook a good meal for three people, two episodes of community, or one (shorter?) night of passion. What could you possibly be doing for 45 min to your nails? But it's actually quite relaxing, with a lot of great smelling oils, cleaning of the cuticles, massage and other nice things.

2. My girlfriend and I arrived 10 minutes late, and we were greeted by an aesthetician who was like 'Mmmmhmmm, you were suppose to come at 6:15. It is not 6:15 any more.' I apologized, and she was like 'Mmmmhmmmm...that's okay...'. There is no need to mention what culture this sass is derived from. No need.

Apparently, the aesthetician was not feeling well, and boy, I know I can't wait to get out of work asap on a Friday. No job is really that different, even if you're suppose to pamper people. But just saying, it is very nice spa and it could've been just passive-aggressively brushed under the rug.

ps. Also, the bright red color (above, that's me) is outside of my usual choices. Yay?

Left: North American Soup Drinker stance. Right: British stiff-pinky stance

indie is trendy - the end of summer fashion

As the Exhibition Centre opens, and stores roll out their burgundy and forest green-themed clothes, it's clear summer is coming to an end. For me, one of the best things about summer is to basically, wearing comfortable clothes (... aka as little as possible.) Colors, light fabrics, skin, and everyone looking happier makes the best cityscape for Toronto.

I think it's funny when old becomes new (like the 'vintage' is the new 'indie' which also becomes mainstream.) For me, the trendiness of Kensington Market beats Yorkville or even Queen West any day. Fashion looks comfortable, wearable, and low maintenance away from the rigours of high heels and perfectly pressed shirts.

Below are a few snapshots from Kensington (and one from Harbourfront) of looks strictly for summer before we put on our coats and scarves: