"Roll up the Rim!"

It just amazes me! The Toronto airport has Tim Hortons shops everywhere, and everyone of them has slow service and a lineup of at least 20 people. Amazing because there are a myriad of other places to buy a better tasting coffee with little or no waiting, and yet people stand politely and patiently in line to get their “timmies”. I can’t stand it myself and as such happily paid a little more at Starbucks this morning. So what’s the secret? It isn’t the coffee unless maybe they put something addictive in it. McDonalds is better if you’ve ever tried it. ! It isn’t the donuts….at least once you’ve had a Crispy Crème, it isn’t. And it sure isn’t the service, unless maybe you like standing in line.

That leaves rrrollll up the rim! Like lotteries, they prey on the human compulsion to try to get something for nothing, and the anticipation of a happier future. A future made better, not by the free coffee or donut you occasionally win, but by the computers or TVs or cars they say are available. I don’t even know what they mean when they say “available” to win? Does this mean in case they decide to print that many winners or what? Pretty vague if you ask me.

And I admit it. I’m part of the problem. I buy lots of their coffee. Primarily because where I live there is no competition, and yet once I get that cup in my hand I am anxious to get the coffee down so that I can check if I am a winner. And I also admit that every time I win a free coffee I am just as disappointed as when they allow me to “play again”. I can’t even remember ever cashing one of them in. I want the car damn it! My life will definitely get better if I win a free Toyota!

What’s really brilliant is that they don’t do it all the time. Somehow they know just the right amount of time they can withdraw people from it, such that they are still addicted by the time they “roll” it out again. They must have some very good psychologists, or sociologists or something on staff eh? And all this the brainchild of a hockey player, and a Toronto Maple Leafs player to boot!

Anyway, If that’s all I have to ponder it must mean that I’m on the road eh? I had a bit of stress first thing this morning as I fell back asleep after the alarm went off and ended up getting away 15 minutes late. I had taken a sleeping pill at about 1 am and apparently it was still working. But not to worry. I still made it in plenty of time. I had already checked in last night and had my electronic boarding pass….yah my electronic boarding pass. You can now choose the option to have a bar code sent to your phone which they actually scan at the gate. No paper of any kind! Pretty wild eh!

I also got a decent seat on the plane. I work desperately to get an aisle seat because I find it so much less constrictive. To top that off, the plane was not full and so I managed to move to a seat with no one beside me. It’s almost as good as business class, the only problem being that I can smell the food they are getting up there. Thank goodness that I had my Starbucks yogurt, nanaimo bar, and coffee before I got on the plane.

Note Roo’s post of yesterday which loved me up a little. I think there’s something to be said for this kind of public statement of our commitment to each other. Especially when it also acknowledges that it isn’t always easy, and it’s not always fun. It is of course easy to find fault with each other and often very tempting. I believe however that our major responsibility as members of our society it to try to become better human beings, and beyond that, to help our loved ones to do the same. I think that Claudette and I have arrived at a point where we are both comfortable that the rest of our lives are intended to be spent together, helping ourselves and each other. I’m proud of that. Looking back I can say that when the one has been weak the other has usually been strong. Anyone who is, or ever was married knows that it's a tough road sometimes, but I think that if you can become friends then you can survive almost anything. Again I believe that Roo and I truly wish the very best for each other and despite some of the crap that we have foisted on the other half, it is this mutual caring that keeps us strong, despite our own personal shortcomings. Quite frankly, the things that piss me off are dwarfed by the things I love about her. The only problem I have with taking turns being strong is that I worry that she's gonna ask me to take a turn again sometime. She's carried the ball for about 18 months now.

Hey! Heres something. I got the following out of the Air Canada magazine. They claim it to be a Mayan love poem which would seem appropriate since I’m on my way to Mexico….here goes…
“I know not if the voice of man can reach the sky. I know not if the gods will hear if I pray, I know not if the gifts I have will all be granted, I know not what will come to pass in future days, But I hope only good will come from my love for you”

It's a pretty nice thought which you can nicely apply to any relationship, whether that be friends, lovers, childern etc

Ok….enough sentimental crap. I’m sitting on a very new Airbus 319 which has all the latest technology. My computer is plugged in to 120 volt power, so the battery doesn’t die. I have my own personal touch screen in front of me on which I can watch TV or movies, or listen to satellite radio. I can also charge my i-pod on the USB port they have nicely provided. The only thing missing is an Internet connection, which I’m sure is on the way once they figure out how to charge you for it. I’m currently listening to the complete album of the Bee Gees love songs which could have something to do with my maudlin mood…ya think? I did have to pay 3 bucks for a headset since I forgot my own, but at least I get to keep them. My ass is a bit sore from the seat, but that could be from my weights last night as opposed to the seat itself.

Despite all the amenities of home this flying shit is for the birds. I’m hating it more all the time it seems. I wish there was a better way. Another hour and a half on the plane and then the nauseating drive from Mexico City to Puebla. Im gonna try to snooze for a bit.

I will do very little training while in Mexico, and I think it’s probably a good time for a break. I’m feeling quite fatigued overall and so hopefully the few days off will re-energize me. If I can find the time I will get one easy run in somewhere, and I am going to try to do my stretching every day. The problem is that I get back on Friday and because I will have this time off I need to get right back at it when I get home. Which means not even one day of rest prior to Around the Bay on Sunday. Don’t wait up for me Brett!

I wish to dedicate day 188 to the Reverend (furnish name here please Roo) who married us the first time at St Lukes in the Garden chapel many years ago…. even if he was kinda unique.

“They’re only words, but words are all I have, to take your heart away”---Barry Gibb

“There’s a way, everybody says, to do each and every little thing. But what does it mean, if I ain’t got you, if I ain’t got you.”---Barry Gibb

“Say you, say me, say it for always, that’s the way it should be”---Lionel Ritchie

love
peter