The Great Canadian Soap Company Staff Party

December 22nd 2010

Left to right: Shannon, Em, Conor, Amy's daughter (green shirt sleeve), Katie (Em's daughter),
Amy's daughter, Wayne (Shannon's husband), Mackenzie (Shannon's son), Jordan (Em's son)

Alex's first ever staff party. On December 22nd Em opened her home to her staff, Shannon, Amy, Conor & Alex and their families for the "first annual Christmas staff party". It was a truly lovely time filled with good food, good folks and good fun.

Alex enjoyed playing one of his favourite games, Password. I love to play this game with him; his single word clue choices give so much insight into him, how he thinks and how enormous his vocabulary is (especially considering how little of it he actually shares with us in everyday conversation).

He also enjoyed the challenge (and is still very much enjoying it) of playing with this traditional wooden ball & cup game Em gave him:


Em shared these words with her staff, giving thanks for the unique gifts each of them bring to her Company:

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open."

from The Life and Work of Martha Graham

Alex playing "Frère Jacques" on the piano

Thank you Em & family, a great time was had by all!

Season's Greetings

Seasons Greetings

Wishing the PEI Roadrunners,
The Staff of The Great Canadian Soap Co.,
all of their Families,
our Family & Friends,
and blog readers...
A very Merry Christmas
and a very happy, safe & healthy 2011


Under the tree we have for you...

a smile



and a song...



Have a wonderful Holiday Season

My Birthday

I went swimming after work.

I playing my new Wii game.
My new book One Hundred Greatest Canadian Sports Moments.



My Death by Chocolate birthday cake.


Thank you for all the Happy Birthday Wishes!

I having a Happy 23rd Birthday.

TDISC Santa Claus Run

It was cloud and flurries and -2 degrees.

The TDISC Santa Clause Run at UPEI. The loop course on UPEI campus, Belvedere, Mt Edward and University Ave.

It was untimed fun run. There were lots of Santas!

Tonight the PEI Roadrunner Christmas Party and Run at Queen Charlotte Armories.

TDISC Santa Clause Run Facebook Page

Photos

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2010-12-11/article-2036227/Santas-on-the-run-for-a-great-cause/1

Santas on the run for a great cause

Guardian photo by Brian McInnis

Santas on the run

Published on December 11th, 2010

Several hundred Santas or his relatives took time during his busiest season to run five kilometers to raise money for the needy. The run was held at the University of Prince Edward Island Saturday and was organized by a group of tri-athletes. Last year the fun run raised more than $3,000 and they hope to surpass that this year.

http://www.journalpioneer.com/Sports/2010-12-08/article-2028679/P.E.I.-Ultraman-athlete-is-in-select-company/1

P.E.I. Ultraman athlete is in select company

Submitted photo

Paul Dalton, third from right, celebrates with his support crew seconds after finishing the Ultraman world championship in Hawaii on Nov. 28.

Published on December 8th, 2010

Jason Simmonds

ST. EDWARD - Paul Dalton had this to say after a 30-kilometre bike ride and a seven-kilometre run on Sunday, "I felt really good!"

And why shouldn't he?

Compared to what he was doing just a week earlier, that's a leisurely jog.

Upon crossing the finish line of the Ultraman world championship triathlon in Hawaii on Nov. 28, Dalton became one of only 495 athletes in the world to complete the demanding race in the event's 26-year history. He is also one of only 39 athletes from around the world to complete both the Ultraman Canada race and the Hawaiian race, and one of only a handful to complete both Ultraman races in the same year.

"More people have climbed Mount Everest than have run an Ultraman," said Dalton, admittedly proud of his accomplishment.

Despite getting caught in a current that left him churning in place for a while near the end of his 10-kilometre swim, Dalton, 52, said he was really satisfied with his swim time.

If not for his good swim, he said, he might not have had been able to complete Day 1 of the three-day race within the 12-hour cutoff. One participant, Dalton said, made the cutoff with just one second to spare.

The start of the bike race was so steep - 1,000 feet in three miles - that some bikers walked sections of it. It was a more gradual climb the rest of the way, but gale-force crosswinds kept things difficult and made biking dangerous.

"It took everything to keep from going over the edge or into traffic," Dalton said.

On a long descent, he found himself fighting against the bike all the way.

"More people have climbed Mount Everest than have run an Ultraman." - Paul Dalton

"You couldn't go over 40 kilometres (per hour)," he said, noting there was strong headwind and sharp corners.

His times were three hours 39 minutes 57 seconds (3:39:57) for the swim, and 7:56:41 for the bike. He made the cutoff with 23:32 to spare.

"It was just a hard day," assessed Dalton, adding he was still tired from that race heading into Day 2 of the competition and another 276-kilometre bike ride. At the end of it, Dalton needed help getting off his bike.

After two difficult days of biking, Dalton wasn't sure how he'd do in the double marathon run on Day 3, and surprised himself with a strong finish.

"I had a really good run," he acknowledged.

He was pleased to have his support crew cross the finish line with him, pointing out he would not have been able to do the race without their support and guidance.

Now back home and back to driving his school bus, Dalton said he will soon get back to serious training for next year's Boston Marathon and the Ironman Canada race. He wants to do another Ultraman race, but that will depend on resources. "Keep doing what I'm doing and focus more on the bike section," he said describing his game plan.

wbureau@journalpioneer.com