In Ottawa
Posted on January 12, 2008
Drive: Toronto, ON to Aylmer, PQ
Distance: 456km
Time: 4:15
Avg. Speed: 107.2km/hr
After Chilling with Barry and Zara, and a bit of sleep, I am prepping up now for the Ottawa Inline Indoor practice. I am looking forward to checking out this floor, and giving it a run. We’ll see how she goes.
I was thinking last night, that I would really like to write a post or two on the WIC scene, and what it has been like trying to get on a team for 2008. I’m just not sure how much info is appropriate to divulge. I have yet to confirm a spot on a WIC team, and I am starting to think that panic is in order.
Oh, and in an earlier post I mentioned how I am beginning to understand that as a coach I see the group and individuals as two separate entities, and I am beginning to better understand myself in this dual athlete/coach role. I really want to make sure I follow up with that idea. Things have just been busy.
a out dot com…
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Ottawa
Posted on January 11, 2008
Leaving right now…
-A.
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Great Practice…
Posted on January 10, 2008
This will probably be a short post, but last night’s practice was probably the best practice of the indoor season. The toronto skaters are really displaying their commitment and efforts.
We started the transition towards the “everything drill” as the core of our warm-ups, which involves a multitude of skills used in combination and simultaneously. I think we are all on the right track, and as the first time doing this drill, it looked great.
Then we got straight into relays, and after just a bit of practice, we got into a relay pyramid (3×1,3×2,2×3,1×5,2×3,3×2,3×1) which was really, really tough, but absolutely great at the same time. I found myself at times unable to talk, and gasping while waiting for the next exchange. I loved it.
There were still a few crashes (actually I lost count), but as far as I know there were no (significant) injuries. I know at one point, Jade and I went down and crashed simultaneously into the wall after Deano dove up the inside underneath Jesse who was passing tight a little earlier. I bet it looked way cool, and I wish I had that video. The relays never once stopped. Not even once. The teams never missed a beat, and pretty much stayed together for the entire duration of the pyramid. It was awesome.
The group was really on form last night, and I was really proud of the attitude of the group and of the individuals; which I am beginning to understand I see as two seperate entities. More on that probably soon.
Anyway, great practice, and I thought it was way cool of Candy Wong and Sigrid Ziegler to come and watch practice and help the team after suffering injuries on Monday, as well as Jamie Haskell who was running our splits. Big ups team.
Also, what-up to Jake the Muss, J-to-tha-R.O.C., and Mikey Michaels, fresh off NZ nats; pass ups to K-max. And of course a personal hello to Sandra D.
K, that’s it.
-A-out-dot-ca.
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Back to school and some randomness
Posted on January 8, 2008
I went back to school today. More on that later. Ha!
For now, consider this with me:
I do not know everything,
I may not know what it is that I do not know.Not everything I say is important,
not everything I say is right.
Today was productive, and I feel more organized, less stressed, and a sense of relief after getting some administrative issues dealt with. Deano was a big help today too, he drove my car from building to building and really increased my efficiency today. Anyway, expect a calm, more rational Aaron in the very near future.
Skating: The skaters at Scooter’s are really flying these days! The skill level of the group has improved unbelievably, and they are starting to be masters at some pretty difficult and comlicated drills. I am so proud of the group’s progress. Unfortunately, with the elevated speeds, and increased passing comfort and ability, the risk and effect of the crashes increases dramatically. This is a big shout out to those suffering from skating injuries; Stay sharp team! Heal up and get back out. See you all Wednesday!
I will do my best to see that things get safe again, but I will of course need your help. I am just happy that this is such a strong and supportive group of each other and of me, and that they are truly committed to their own progress and development. I know it can be tough out there, but keep up the hard (and sometimes scary) work.
Sandra: In our last few days together, Sandra and I fit in a little skiing/snowboarding. It was awesome. She is quite the skier. I don’t have any action shots, as we were too busy enjoying our time together. I think the time on the lifts may have been my favourite part…
Sandra is all smiles after the night skiing session.
Aaron is just plain cool. (dot ca)
I took Sandra to the airport yesterday afternoon… (sigh)A head’s up:
It looks like I will be travelling to O-bitz for practice this Saturday. Should be a scene, man. Deano is coming too. I can’t wait to grip. I don’t care how slow the floor is, you can’t skate with any power (or develop the corresponding strength) with virtually no traction. I hear the floor is slow, but I’m not looking for speed. Just grip. I forget what it feels like to grip. I miss it. Also, there might just be a few Publow sightings around the Canadian Skating scene these days. Should be cool. Oh, and if any O-town skaters read this, what wheels are working best on the floor? Georg, think about tunes for the show. Tickets on sale Wednesday.
B-vice, think you can check your cajon?
Doucet, you in town Sunday? near Ottawa Saturday? -Anti-myth-rhythm-rock-shocka.
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Sandra’s Pic Pick
Posted on January 5, 2008
Sandra thinks this picture is cute. So I am posting this post for her…
-Sandra.
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Zack de la Rocha, Skating, Sandra. +pics
Posted on January 4, 2008
I’ve always thought that Zack de la Rocha (formerly of Rage Against the Machine; the greatest rock[/hip-hop] band of all time) deserves alot more credit for his rapping ability, technique, sound, and perhaps most deservingly; his style. Above all this though, credit is due for his lyricism. The man is a lyrical genius.
Am I alone? Go back and review his lyrics. Give the man an award.
The band too, for that matter, had quite possibly the most awesomest rhythm section (Brad Wilk and Tim Commerfold), and the most innovative guitarist in my lifetime/generation; Tom Morello.
I miss Rage Against the Machine.
As far as rock bands go, Audioslave is cool. You have to admit, they’ve got a really cool sound, but will always be in the shadow of RATM.
Skating: After getting really sick, and then better again, skating is going well. My form felt really good last night, and I am feeling motivated again. I am ready to start getting more serious about training through the rest of this off-season. Also, the other skaters at practice are really doing well, and I am really proud of their development. Way to go team!
Sandra: For those of you that don’t know; I have a girlfriend, her name is Sandra Mueller, and she is absolutely amazing. * :) I am completely in love. She has been visiting from Switzerland since December 21, and leaves January 7. So far we’ve had a great time together, and it is going to be really hard to say goodbye until April when she leaves… really hard.
* and super cute too.
a few pics…
of us together….
New Year’s Eve!!
Pictured (from left to right) Deano, Missy, Sandra, Aaron…
Aaron plays guitar…
This was taken at the Christmas jam session at Barry’s in O-Bit. I think it’s a cool pic, but I spelled guitar wrong in the filename, and can’t be bothered to change it now that it is uploaded to my server.
A out.
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