Iceland

Well it’s been a year.

One year ago today, I kissed my wife and kids goodbye, boarded a plane and left for Iceland!

Oh how the time flies!

I still find it hard to believe that I made it in the first place! My random thought to try to make a difference and have a positive influence on the diabetes community one February morning launched me into a 4 month extreme fundraising campaign! $6100 fundraised, and I was on my way!

I remember waiting for the plane. A nervous energy about me. Not sure what to think. I’d met up with some team members at the airport. We chatted a bit, but were too spread out on the plane to enjoy each others company.

Onto Toronto.

In Toronto, I met up with the rest of the team. Immediately we all bonded. And the flight to Iceland? We pretty much had the entire plane!

By the time we hit Iceland, it was about 6:30 am there… For those of you doing the math, it was 10:30pm the day before in Vancouver…

The bus from the airport took us through a rocky wasteland…looked like something from a sci-fi movie, en-route to Reykjavik!

Our new crew cruised around Iceland in their waking hour exploring their streets and allies.

What a beautiful city!

After some much needed rest, more exploring ensued!

Over the next dew days, we’d explore the many areas of Reykjavik to see all it had to offer.

I went for a run one morning, the air was beautiful, and the scent of black liccorice hung in the air.

In a ridiculous attempt to view the erupted volcano, myself and two others rented scooters, and tried our hand at making down the coast. We didn’t get far. And on the way back, I crashed my scooter! Did I mention that the whole reason we were there, the marathon was the next day!?! I’m full of smarts!

Anyhow, I wasn’t too banged up and ran the race the next day.

Race Day: I couldn’t sleep. I was too excited, it was also FREEZING outside!

We snapped some team pics, and made our way to the start line!

Bang goes the gun, and we’re off! A mass of people! The pace is quick, but soon everyone falls into a rhythm. The sites are beautiful. The locals cheer us on as we go! 2:45 later, and my first 1/2. Marathon is finished!

I waited with other team members for our friends to finish. We cheer them as they come in.

What a blast! Nap time, then onto relaxing all together to celebrate!

On Sunday, another team member and I made our way out to the local LDS branch. It was so awesome! Met some awesome members who invited us to visit with them later. Played an awesome card game. I wish I could remember what it was called, and headed back to the hotel.

Another day of exploring and our adventure was done.

In 5 short days, I bonded with some awesome people in a way that would normally take years. I’m proud to call them friends.

So now what? It’s been a year. What have I done?

Well, in an equally ridiculous fund raising attempt. I’ve signed up to run in Rio Next July! Now I have 11 months to do fundraising to get there… And most of my iceland team will be there too!

Here’s a video by a team mate:

Wanna donate?! Please!!! I’ll love you forever, and you’ll be making a difference for some poor little diabetic child!

https://ocp.diabetes.ca/Pledge/csPledge.asp?prId=td&tId=16730&oId=11921374

Captain America

I’m sitting on a ferry, on my way to Saltspring Island to see one of my best friends ever, and it dawns on me, I didn’t post!

Last night it took my nephew to see Captain America. He turned 12, he’s such an awesome kid! He’s been into everything I’m into since I met him.

The movie was awesome. It was so fun and action packed. I don’t want to give anything away, but watching it made me laugh a bit because I’ve been watching The Super Hero Squad Show alot with my 2 year old. Hydra…there’s always more!

Anyway, awesome movie, see it in theaters already!

I can’t wait for the Avengers in May!

P.S. When you do go see it, watch all the credits. You won’t be disappointed!

7.7mmol/L

Until next time,

Insulin Junkie

Cars 2

It’s a long weekend! So what better to do than go for a hike! Did it, and saw some sweet waterfalls! I don’t know where you live, but if you don’t live here you’re missing out!

We followed up out hike with a drop in at a friends impromptu BBQ, also another good reason to be here…although I did manage to drop a hamburger patty between the grates…. I’m not Really used to grilling up the frozen ones… :S but it was still a load of fun, and apparently dropping the patty through means I host next!?! He called fondu rules…I just thought fondu was pointed sticks with hot meat on the end of them!

After all that excitement, we went as a family to see Cars 2. With most sequels , I go in a bit skeptical, wondering what they’ve got planned for me… This one was surprisingly adult oriented. It was very reminiscent of bond at times, with it’s secret agents and awesome gadgets. It’s was also much more violent than expected! There where cars being destroyed all over the place! Sure, we see that all the time in movies, but when they have a face and voice it feels a bit different.

This was also a Mater moving, not so much a Lightning movie, which turned out quite well for them I think.

It really was a fun movie. If you have kids, it’s a great one to take them to see in theatres, since everyone else has kids with them too, they won’t mind when yours are noisy!

I give it 7.5mmol/L it kept me watching!

Until next time,

Insulin Junkie

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows pt 2

First date night (with no kids) since… Well I don’t really remember!

We were granted the opportunity to go out for dinner and a movie by some very generous friends tonight! Living in a small town with only one theatre…that has only one screen, there isn’t a lot of movie selection…that’s not true, we do get a new movie every week or two!

So we took the opportunity to see what was playing…being Harry Potter of course! In 3D too!

Now I’ve never read a HP book, but I’ve always enjoyed the movies!

This final film was no exception! What a dark movie! The story was very dark. Lots of wizards killing each other, and amidst all the chaos was Harry, running around to save the day with the help of his friends. Oh yeah…there’s also a lot of explosions!

I really enjoyed the movie and would definitely recommend it…but it’s definitely NOT for kids!

Overall 7mmol/L

Until next time,
Insulin Junkie

You should see the other guy…

First lesson: give yourself plenty of space.

Second lesson: teeth are only free twice.

I was working on getting a rusted on bolt (pick of the bolt below)

off the YJ today. It was under the drivers seat. Had to get it off to do some rust repair to the interior. Well, luck has it that I would drop/fling my socket wrench into my mouth and break a tooth in half!

My wife took me to the dentist, where they put a temporary cover over the soft inside, and I now have a lovely appointment for a…..ROOT CANAL!

I hear that root canals are all the rage! It’s like a party in your mouth! I’ve got to say, I’m pretty sure I can think of a couple better ways to spend my time ( and money! This thing is getting pricey!)

Well, here’s to you!

Insulin Junkie

Buster

Well, it’s been a tough few days.

On friday, I officially started my two weeks of summer holidays.

And on Friday, our family dog Buster passed away.

Buster was a Beagle. I still remember sitting in a parking lot, and finding the ad in the paper that would lead me to him. I remember picking him out of his litter at 8 weeks old, and then bringing him to meet my wife April.

We didn’t have kids yet when we got Buster, and he gave us a good idea of what we were in for.

When Michaela was born, we weren’t sure how Buster would react, but he was so gentle with her, and had been her guardian and best friend from then out!

We had lots of great times with Buster over the years, and his quick and unexpected departure from us left us in so much shock and sadness that we could barely talk to each other.

It’s lonely now without my little buddy. He’s not waiting for me on the deck when I get home. He’s not cuddling on the couch with me when I stay up way too late playing video games or watching movies. He’s not jumping around when I get up in the morning, excited for breakfast.

His death stopped the mrs and I from going on a hike the following day. I take a bit of comfort thinking that maybe Buster was looking out for us, who knows what would have happened if we did go for a hike that saturday morning as planned.

I miss you buddy. We may get another dog, but you’ll never be replaced.

The Mrs and I have been talking about the next dog. Shed like to get another Beagle. I’m afraid it would hurt too much to see a beagle that isn’t Buster everyday. I’ve been thinking a Retriever would be a good choice. Only time will tell what’s in store for us now.

Insulin Junkie.

Canada

Dear Canada,
When I was a boy, I knew I had something special. I was never sure of what it was, I just knew it was there.

I spent time with your big brother, USoA, and never felt quite right there…like an odd match up of bacon and….who am I kidding. I like bacon with everything! But back on track…I didn’t fit in there.

Canada, you’ve watched over my family for generations! Almost 400 years of bacon eating, plaid wearing, beard-faced ancestors. You’ve kept them safe from coast to coast, they’ve evolved with you, and become a part of you.

You’ve watched over my family while the brave men I am proud to be decended from have fought for everything we hold dear and won!

You’ve been an entertainer for me, showing me the great beauties of wilderness you’ve created. Your Algonquin and Muskoka areas have become my great peace in life, and now, I find a match to these beauties in the great Cariboo.

You’ve fed me, watched over me, and now you do the same for my young family. My love for you Canada, has been shared with my children, and even at a young age, they love you too. I can’t wait to share all you are with them.

Thank you Canada. You are a true inspiration. I can’t wait to see what’s around the next corner.

Happy birthday old friend!

Insulin Junkie.