Sam loves his story books before bed time, he really gets into them. He has gotten into a habit of having a book and then asking for a (in his words) 'Story of da maowf'. Which is a 'story of the mouth' - a story made up by me or Jem on the spot while we are tucking him in.
We have to come up with all sorts of things, generally with him choosing the topic and us having to be spontaneous. Its sometimes pretty funny the things you come up with under pressure. Stories about poop, flying sheep or Supermans teeth.
Anything is possible in the mind and world of Sammy Tyler.
I decided to take the boys on a little bus adventure to Belconnen on Tuesday. They were very excited and thought the ride was great, as you can see by their faces!
Ben, Kate and James have just moved back to Canberra for Ben's work. They are very happy to be back and we are all very happy to have them back. We also get to see our cute little nephew and cousin to the boys, James a lot more often. We took him out to their local park for a little while today so that Ben and Kate could do some unpacking.
I started getting into riding more seriously late last year. Since then I have a new bike and countless rides under my belt. I have much more bike fitness and I think I've become a lot better rider over that time.
On my very first ride that started off the new found love, I rode a short section of Mulligans Flat and the Goorooyarroo Reserve just a short ride from home. I stopped to take a photo of the scenery and my old bike on the side of the track. I decided to take a similar photo this morning on the same part of the track but with my new bike.
It seems like just yesterday I took that first photo, which was back in November last year. How time is seriously flying!
I watched this short film the other day on YouTube, where 2 guys rode up the highest peak in Germany on their mountain bikes making for most part their own route up. There was some single track involved but a lot of the ride turned into 'hike a bike' where the bikes went up on their backs and they had to trudge up some unridable tracks before reaching the snowy summit.
I went out this morning for a spin around Mulligans flat reserve. A ride I have done countless times but this time I decided to ad a bit of 'hike a bike' and trek up one of the highest hills in the area. Cruising down the main trail and then severely deviating to cross a deep creek with the bike on my shoulders and working my way up the steep rarely used hiking trail. Once I made the top I was greeted with a wonderful view on a lovely crisp winters morning. I then made up my own trail along the ridge line crossing some unforgiving terrain and down a different way than I came up, making it up as I went. To be honest I think I probably got lost a hand full of times, crossing many barbed wire unused fences and got bogged down in a swampy area before eventually finding my way back to the main trail. The unusual variation in this ride was great and to do it on such a glorious morning was even better.
Get bored riding the same trail? Find a hill and hike a bike!
I got up early this morning for a ride with Simon and 2 of his mates over at Stromlo. We had a nice ride and got to do a majority of one of the loops that will be included in this years Scott 24. The fresh (or bloody freezing, -2 degrees when we set off) morning air certainly wakes your lunges up in a hurry and clears your nose! I'm finding my bike fitness has improved a lot lately which makes for such a more enjoyable ride, although with that comes the urge to go faster and ride further!
I then dashed home to meet the crew who were ready to go and watch William play soccer. His team had a great game and they all seem to be really playing well together. Its a nice bunch of boys that he is playing with which is great.
It was then back home and time to get ready for a family riding afternoon at Stromlo again. The facilities are great there and cater for everyone thats predominantly into riding. or fitness in general. Jem met up with a friend from work and they took a ride up for her first taste of elevation on the mount. She came back exhausted but grinning from ear to ear. The kids and I had a play on the criterium track and then went to some dirt jumps.Will and I then had a spin around track 1, which he loved. Sam was flying down the track on his balance bike in seemingly an out of control, but completely in control manner. He is amazing on that thing! Lucas was filling everyones bikes up with petrol and just happy toddling around, while Jacob was doing a great job riding his new (a tad too big) bike up and down the jumps. A fun day out for the whole family.
Jacob can sure be slow at getting ready, slow at eating his dinner, stubborn as anything, one of the best tantrum throwers around and can seemingly 'die' at will when he gets a little bump or scrape. But he sure is his own little person, he has a great way of brushing things off that would annoy most people, he isnt self concious in the slightest, is never in a hurry because he is so content with himself and life around him, and is such a loving and caring son and brother. He is so polite and gentle and goes out of his way to help anyone, seeming to sense when you are in need of a hand before you know it. He loves his family very much and quite simply cares about people.
We adults can learn a lot from children about many issues in life that we all find so hard to sort out and deal with. How to happily coincide with others from all walks of life, not be racist, able to sort out and easily forget about disagreements or arguments and move on, simplify life and just seek enjoyment.
I remember when I started getting interested in basketball when I was around 10. It was in the height of the sports popularity in Australia and America. Having the NBL on free to air TV every weekend for at least one live game and a half hour basketball wrap up show helped a lot. Also the NBA would be on for a replayed game on a Sunday morning followed by a highlights show. I used to love the weekends and if I missed a game or show, I would not be a happy camper.
It was just the best time to be a basketball fan, having the likes of NBA legends Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan to name a few, all playing in the late 1980's early 90's. Basketball was almost pushing AFL out of the running for prime time TV on the weekends.
During the time that I started to really get into basketball and play in my first team, the Chicago Bulls rise to fame was in full swing. They had built a solid team around their, and the basketball world's superstar, Michael Jordan. They ended up winning 3 championships in a row before Jordan shocked the world and retired to try a short stint at baseball. He then came back to guide his team to another threepeat and truly earn the reputation as one of the all time greatest players in basketball history.
You know your pretty good when even your opposition would be cheering you on in some games to do another dunk, or mind boggling move. At the Olympics in 1992 the original (and best) Dream Team was pulverising their opposition by massive margins and after games some of the worlds best international players would be lining up to get things signed by the great man. Simply the greatest basketball player ever to lace up a pair of basketball shoes. Michael Jordan no.23.
As you would imagine there have been many videos made of him over the years, but this for me, although teasingly short, is one of the better ones. 5 minutes of jaw dropping individual brilliance! enjoy.
When we had the Lanes staying with us a few months ago a conversation on mountain bike riding came up and someone casually mentioned that we should all go in the Scott 24 hour mountain bike race as a team of 4 in October. We chatted about the logistics of it and began to think about it some more, coming to the conclusion that it was do-able and would be great.
Since then we have now signed up for it, got a team name, Raceline10 (Rice Lane 10 with a couple of Letters rearranged and the 10 being the amount of us including the kids) and Jem and Em have both started riding! We will camp at Stromlo on the night of the race with all the kids, and seeing as only one of us will be racing at any given time there will be 3 of us at the tent with them tiredly parenting.
I know there is no dought going to be some tough and interesting times out there on the trails of Stromlo, especially during the night when lack of sleep and a tired and irritated body will be screaming for you to stop. I cant wait! I think firstly its going to be a wonderful day of being able to ride my bike for an extended amount of time, secondly it will be a great experience not only for the riders but for the whole family camping out together and having fun.
Fingers crossed the weather will be kind! Go team Raceline10!!
As I mentioned in a previous post, Lucas has decided that "Your so stupid" is the saying of the month. Not sure who he heard it from but it comes out if he is frustrated with someone for something. 'Stupid' is said more like 'Thstupid' with a bit of spit flying out as well.
The other morning William was in their bedroom playing with Lucas, when William said to him "Your so cute Lucas" and Lucas's response to those loving words were "Your so thstupid!" How lovely! Our precious little 2 year old boy. William thought it was very funny.
When I think about views from a single track, usually what I'm used to seeing is the trail a few metres or so in front, maybe dense scrub or trees lining it and probably some logs and rocks (not that its a bad thing at all, I love the natural scenery around Canberra). I would assume it would be very rare to get panoramic views as your actually riding.
This short film taken in the French Alps has just that. Amazing panoramic views whilst riding along the ridge line! I imagine you would be concentrating highly on staying straight!
The unknowns in basketball are one of the things that make it such an exciting game, the fact that anyone on the court could possible make a game changing play at any time and win the game.
In order to win a basketball game there are so many variables that need to fall into place. So many things during those 48 minutes of play time that may not seem important at the time but could ultimately be the deciding factor for the game. They are known as the 'one percenters' in the basketball circles and are a crucial part of your quest for a 'W'.
Although, when it comes down to it, more often than not its generally who ever can score more points than the other that will come out on top. In this high school game in America the yellow team had a pair of free throws to secure the win and looked to have done so, but then in a split second amazing happened....
The thing I like the most about being on a mountain bike is the possibility you instantly have. You can go just about anywhere that you could walk or hike, just 5 times faster. Road bikes are great, dont get me wrong, but you are stuck going where someone else has created a path for you to go. Mountain bikes arent limited to a known route, you can make up your own, discover new things you would have never known about otherwise. Single tracks are brilliant for this, because although you are following a designated carved out route, you generally feel like your the only one out there - 'an intrepid explorer seeking out a path through nature'!
Chris Akrigg here really epitomises this theory in this incredible video. Although not in my wildest dreams could I even attempt to perform such amazing maneuvers that he makes look so annoyingly easy!
Well after a week of trying to get Lucas to continue his naps a while ago, (as he still really needs them) I gave up and resigned to the fact that he is done with napping. Those 2 hours every day of solitude are now extinct!! Oh no.
Its been a few weeks now and he seems to be coping ok, but often falls asleep in the car on the way to get the boys from school, which is only 5 minutes down the road. Not only is the little darling not napping, he has decided that 5am is a suitable wake up time for everyone. This morning it was actually 4.45!!
I can deal with 6am, 5am is pushing it, but 4?? thats still night time! Lucas you are officially broken!
Lucas talk - His new word of the month is "Stupid!". If the boys do something he doesnt like, then they are just stupid! His brothers are shocked when he says it, but I'm not sure why as they were more than likely to blame for him coming out with it!
We took a little 4 hour drive down the Highway west past Albury and onto Yarrawonga for the long weekend to visit Jems dad John. Its a nice little town right on the Murray River with a man-made lake called Mulwayla which looked just stunning on the 2 nice days we had there. We had a nice time, although a little bit tired as we didnt get much sleep (thanks Lucas!). The boys are back in their own beds tonight and very happy to be there too, I dont think Ill be too far behind!
Sam has started up swimming lessons this term for the first time since he was a baby in Mt Gambier. He began his first lesson quite tentatively a few weeks ago, but since then has improved out of sight. He trys so hard and his confidence and trust in what the instructor is telling him is a joy to watch. Your doing great Sammy Tyler!
The first Sunday of winter was supposed to be the host of the CORC 3 hour race at Stromlo today, but after a day of rain yesterday the race was unfortunately called off, bummer! So this morning we went out to have a splash in the puddles at the park and a play in the stream. Lovely.
Later in the day I got my single track fix and headed out to Bruce Ridge for a spin. Just another trail network only a 10 minute drive away. Not bad.
During my basketball trips to the Asian countries, predominantly China, it was really amazing to experience the way the different cultures live, especially with so many people jammed into such a small area. Tens of millions living their lives for the most part completely happy, but most living in what we in Australia would consider to be squalor.
There is the extremely wealthy and the extremely poor, but doesnt seem to be anything in between. A classic example of this was when we were on our way to a game in the bus and drove past a small shanty town on the side of the road made out of scraps of wood, cardboard, tin and what ever else they had found. It was right at the base of a large hotel complex and they had somehow hooked up some huge wires to the hotels satellite TV, and in the tiny make-shift house they had a large TV that the whole family was gathered around watching ESPN, luxury! Just an incredible contrast of wealth wherever you look, especially in the big cities like Beijing.
A few photos from some of those trips -
There are surely more comfortable places for a nap, but I guess when you share the streets with millions its probably the only safe place.
Im sure O.H & S would be ok with this. Job description - courier driver wanted, must not get rear ended!
An average size suburban street in downtown Beijing. Rooms with a view.
When you think your car is getting too small and you need an upgrade, spare a thought for this family. After I took this photo I actually spotted a scooter wiz past with a family of 5 plus a dog on it!
The shop that has everything! Just dont expect to be able to find anything.
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