Monday, December 05, 2016

Dec 5, 2016

Scotland is one of the most incredible places I've ever been. The beauty is so mind-blowing that it's hard to believe it's real.

I'd rank the awe-factor on the Isle of Mull up there with taking a ferry across BC's Georgia Strait, sunrise on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala and hiking through the autumn leaves in Nova Scotia.

Here's the sunset from my front yard on Mull on December 5, 2016...

Dec 5, 2016

Dec 5, 2016





And so it goes...

Sunday, December 04, 2016

December 4, 2016 (THR +885)

December 4, 2016
THR +885 (2 years, 5 months)

My Mull experience continues. I truly love the ability to explore more of the island (and fetch The Times) thanks to car access. Insurance isn't cheap, but it's so worth it.

885 days post-hip replacement and everything is working as it should. Though I should be walking more, as the ol' belly is growing!


Here are some recent pics:

Tobermory. Nov 28, 2016.

Ben More from across Loch Tuath (I live on the left). Dec 2, 2016.

Calgary Beach. Dec 2, 2016.

Calgary. Dec 2, 2016.

Calgary. Dec 2, 2016.

Loch Tor. Dec 2, 2016.

Loch Frisa. Dec 2, 2016.

Calgary. Dec 2, 2016.
Loch Frisa. Dec 2, 2016.
Sunset from the house. Nov 24, 2016.
Night Sky on Mull. Nov 22, 2016.

Night Sky and 2 Dougs on Mull. Nov 22, 2016.

Night Sky on Mull. Nov 22, 2016.
Ballygown Restaurant. Nov 20, 2016.

Near Ulva Ferry. Nov 20, 2016.

Near Ulva Ferry. Nov 20, 2016.

My Wheels. Nov 20, 2016.

Near Ulva Ferry. Nov 20, 2016.
And that's it for now!

Cheers!

Monday, November 07, 2016

Moar Pix!

Here are some more photos. Mostly self-explanatory. Mostly from Ulva Ferry. Mostly shot early November, 2016. And, enjoy!

Moon Over Ulva. Nov 4, 2016.

Ulva Ferry. Nov 6, 2016.

Ben More. Nov 6, 2016.

Ulva Ferry. Nov 6, 2016.

Ulva Ferry. Nov 6, 2016.

Ulva Ferry. Nov 6, 2016.

Ulva Ferry. Nov 6, 2016.
More to come...

Friday, November 04, 2016

Scotland Pics!

November 4, 2016

Greetings from the Isle of Mull, Scotland!

I've been here a few weeks and I'm settling in nicely. I've got access to a car, so now I can explore! In addition, I've discovered the joys of Amazon Prime. Now I can order all sorts of stuff, from food to camera gear and it arrives a few days later. Awesome!

It's been 854 days since my hip replacement. The other hip is still good. And I tested the operated leg with some long, rugged walks. I also fell on my knee and everything seemed to stay in place, although it took forever to heal.

Meh. Old age.

Rather than prattle on, here's some pictures of Mull, taken over the past couple of weeks. They should be self explanatory.

Enjoy!












 

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Mull Redux

I'm b-a-a-a-a-a-ck.
After a two-week journey, I've finally made it to Normann's Ruh on Scotland's Isle of Mull. I had a fantastic summer in BC, a great week in Winnipeg, followed by a fantastic week in Halifax. And now, Mull. For the winter.

With Ben the dog no longer with us, it will be much quieter. I won't have anyone to force me out for thrice daily walks. I'll have to motivate myself.

I brought a nice mix of warmer gear, especially for cycling. Now to find a bike!

I've only been on the island for a few hours after spending three nights in Oban, on the mainland. But it already feels like home. The weather is warm and I'm in shorts. But I know it won't last. The cold and rain aren't far off. Still, it's stunningly beautiful. Which is why I'm here.

I'm going to pour a glass of Shiraz and watch the sunset.

So blessed.

And so it goes...

Wednesday, October 05, 2016

Oct 5, 2016

October 5, 2016 - THR +2 years, 3 months and 1 day

ALL GOOD!

She's flat, byes!

In Winnipeg on an impromptu cross-Canada trip before heading to Scotland. Weight up. Hips good. Happiness factor: 9.

And so I goes...

Monday, September 12, 2016

September 12, 2016

Not a Nuclear Explosion
Hi!

I'm still in Vancouver and enjoying it. Both my hips work exquisitely and I'm enjoying that, too.

The weather is terrific and there has been no sign of any monsoons.

I'm growing attached to this place.

Fancy a drink on The Drive? Give me a buzz!

And so it goes...

Thursday, August 04, 2016

THR +2 Years and 1 Month (25 months)

Chinatown
Hey!

So it's been 25 months since my THR.

Current status: weight up (thanks Vancouver!), new hip working perfectly, old hip working perfectly.

I'm hoping to get a meeting with my surgeon this month. But as it stands, there is certainly no reason to think about getting the other hip replaced. Maybe it will never become painful. Fingers crossed.

Other than that, life is great. Making plans for the fall that include Winnipeg, Halifax and Scotland. Sounds similar to last year!

And so I goes! 

Wednesday, July 06, 2016

Monday, July 04, 2016

THR +2 Years!

July 4, 2016 - THR +2 Years!!

First: I can't believe how fast time flies.

Second: The new hip continues to be great.

Third: I put it though its paces on the bumper cars at the San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala feria. Talk about a beating!

Fourth: The 'bad' hip shows no sign of problems.

Happy Independence from Hip Pain Day!

And so it goes (as I go from GUA to YVR)...

Saturday, June 04, 2016

THR +23 Months (701 days)

June 4, 2016 - THR +23 Months (701 days)

I'm enjoying Guatemala and my continued mobility. I do find the bar stools and bumpy roads are a bit hard on the 'new' hip, but nothing outrageous.

Since arriving here, I've gone on three medical medical clinics with Volunteers Around the World - a new client of mine. So since arriving, I've done 7 trips from the main Central American highway to San Pedro... 1.5 - 2 hours each way on the world's worst road. So some irritation is to be expected.

Everything else works fine. No complaints!

And so it goes...

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Back in Guate!

May 22, 2016

I just arrived in Guatemala City and my bags did not. But I'm smiling because the owner of the hotel I stay at in the City noticed my weight loss and said I looked younger.

WIN!

I'll deal with the bags tomorrow. Luckily I stuck a change of clothes in my carry-on bag. Phew!

And so it goes...

Friday, May 20, 2016

Location Independence

Storytelling!

Ever wonder what it's like to be a digital nomad? Wonder no more!

Here's my piece for the Slack Variety Pack podcast (produced by Pacific Content).

Enjoy!




Friday, May 13, 2016

Coffee with the ATV/CTV Folks

May 13, 2016

What trip to Halifax would be complete without a visit with these two knuckleheads?

Stuart + Kevin + Doug = 100 years of TV experience
So much experience. So little value! :)

And so we goes...

Next Steps

May 13, 2016

The summer plan is coming together. Halifax until Monday. Then various spots around NS for a week. Then to Guatemala for work/play on May 22. After that, it's back to Vancouver for a while.

I'm going to miss the East Coast, but not the weather. Spring is awful and never-ending. Note to self: visit in the summer/fall.

That said, it has been a lot of fun. I've reconnected with lots of people and we had a killer reunion of MITV, the TV station we launched some 28 years ago.

Great People, Then and Now
More adventures to come!

Wednesday, May 04, 2016

THR +22 Months (670 days)

May 4, 2016 - THR + 22 Months (670 days)

I'm hanging in Halifax for a bit and everything is tickety-boo. Twenty-two months after my hip replacement, life is great!

My weight is down to a hair under 240 lbs. I've plateaued because I'm not hitting the gym 2-3 hours a day like I was in Liverpool. This has more to do with location and workload rather than laziness. I do miss it...

I still manged to ride/row more than 250 km in April. May will be much less, of course. But I'm trying to limit my caloric intake to 1500 calories a day. And walk daily. So far, so good.

Here's a chart of my weight loss battle over the past few years. The length of time isn't really consistent, but the weight is.

On Jan 2, 2015 I was tipping the scales at 277.2 lbs. Today: 239.7, a loss of 37.5 pounds.

Here's the graph:

Going the Right Way
And here's a before after pic showing me just before going to Ireland last year and a couple of weeks ago:
Less is More
Obviously, I'm pretty pleased. I still would like to lose at least 20 more pounds, if not 40. I don't have a fixed goal in mind in terms of time. Definitely before hip replacement #2. But as there is STILL no pain, that's probably a ways off. As long as the weight keeps going down, I'm happy.

My health is excellent. I'm working a TON. And I'm pretty content with everything.

The next report will be coming from Guatemala. Bwa ha ha!

And so it goes...

Monday, April 04, 2016

THR +21 Months (641 days)

April 4, 2016 - THR +21 Months (641 days)

Wow! One year and nine months into my hip replacement and things couldn't be better. I'm still hitting the gym, hard. Averaging about 30 km on the stationary bike per session - five days a week. Plus some rowing and other stuff.

The weight is down. About nine pounds since March 1st and about 30 lbs since last summer in Ireland. I still have 40 or so to go, but that should be an easy goal to achieve if I keep exercising.

Shooting for 30km/day, 5 days a week
In March I covered 517 km (mostly cycling with some rowing). So far in April, I've done a hair under 100 km (in three days).

Replaced hip is awesome. "Bad" hip is also awesome.

Looking forward to warmer weather and cycling outside. Shouldn't be far off, but it was -7C when I dragged my arse to the gym at 5:50 this morning.

Winter isn't done yet.

Neither am I!

And so it goes...

Friday, March 25, 2016

March 25, 2016
Liverpool, NS

Roadspill is 13? Seriously? I was in my 30s when I started this?

I don't even remember 2003. Guess that's why I have this blog — to remember all the kvetching I did about the state of Canadian media. What's changed?

And to record my travels, of which there have been many.

I don't write much here anymore. That's probably because of social media, much of which didn't exist back in the day.

But it's still a place to record big life changes, like my hip replacement two years ago and my current weight loss.

So, Happy Birthday, Roadspill. You're a teenager! Time to get all responsible...  unlike yours truly.

And so it goes....

Thursday, March 24, 2016

More progress...

Thursday, March 24, 2016
Liverpool, NS

This guy has arthritis? You'd never know. And thanks, Dr. Clive Duncan for the new hip and life!

So far, so good. Much work remains!
Cheers!

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

It Works!

March 16, 2016

I've been going to the local gym since Feb 24 and I love it!

It's so incredible to be able to move without pain. None in the old hip and none in the new hip.

As per usual, I'm probably doing too much. Workouts were running 2 hours per day, but with some changes, that's now about 1:50. Still a lot. But so far, so good.

I had been going at 9 am, but I found that this really screwed up my work day. So for the last few days I've been going at 6 am. If I leave the house at 5:50 am, the timing is perfect. And then I'm done and on my way by 8:30 am. The added bonus is that the gym is almost completely empty. Awesome!

I find this a much better schedule, although I'm still trying to adjust my evenings to go to bed earlier.

I've been keeping track of my progress and since March 1, I've cycled over 300 km (and I'm on track to hit 600 km this monyh. I've just added rowing, so my arms get a bit of a challenge, too.

The results: weight down 5.5 lbs in 16 days. And 32 lbs since January 2015.

Hopefully I'll stay motivated and efforts will continue to pay off. I'd like to lose another 47 lbs.

And So I Goes...
Cheers!

-30-


Friday, March 04, 2016

THR +20 Months (609 days)

March 4, 2016 - THR +20 Months (609 days)

It's hard to believe that I'm now one year and eight months post hip replacement.

The new hip (left) is still working perfectly while, surprisingly, the right hip is still showing no signs of needing replacement. That's coming, but who knows when?

I've joined the local gym and plan to attend Monday-Friday. So far so good. This was my first full week (I joined midweek the previous week). I logged 123 km between cycling and walking (mostly cycling) just THIS week. The previous week I walked 11 km and cycled 11 km.

Watching the legs go round and round...

Eventually I'll add weights and whatnot. But for now I'm going to do 25 km per day, five days a week.

Another surprise: my weight is down. 11 pounds less than when I left Ireland. Today I weighed in at 251. That's 26 pounds less than a year ago. Slow and steady...

Got mail?
Meanwhile the Liverpool experience continues. The weather had been quite nice although as I write this, there's a blizzard blowing outside.

Oh yeah, it's winter!

I've been enjoying myself, thanks to a friendly local community that is always inviting me out for dinner/fire hall breakfasts/beach visits. Last night I had a couple of drinks at the local pub, which is straight out of the Prairies: a couple of pool tables, VLTs and the bar is cash only.

Club 21, Liverpool's legendary watering hole

Yeah, it's kind of a dive... but a nice dive. There's a big celebration planned for St. Patrick's Day and I'm told the community potluck dinner is to die for. Several kinds of chowders and much, much more.

The adventure continues...