August Quickies...

1. Our time with Mads and Brian is almost up. We've enjoyed having them here, complete with the flying sushi rice and ordering shrimp when we ate out. I wish them a safe flight back and the invite is open (as it is with Bettina and Michael) to come back anytime they wish.

2. Congratulations to John and Kristy on their wedding. It was beautiful, the bride looked radiant, and it was like two kindred spirits marrying each other.

3. Congratulations to Heather and Peter on their engagement! Long distance over a number of years can work out when you're meant to be together.

4. Happy belated birthday to Sonja! Brian tried sending an SMS from my phone at the Gooseberry campsite, but it failed, unfortunately. Hopefully this year all your wishes will be fulfilled and all the best to you.

Calgary Dragonboat Festival 2006...

... it was a fun and activity-packed weekend. So much fun that Monday morning meant I wasn't getting out of bed.

I was a member of UTS Energy Dragons and Topmade Phoenix (women's) this year. I had spent the previous 2 years paddling for a rec team, Water Dragons, but I found that the physical activity done once a week didn't really suit my body, so I ramped up to paddling twice a week. Not only did this feel better, I found that you were more closer to your teammates because you saw them more often.

In regards to results, UTS Energy Dragons placed 3rd? in the Consolation finals. However, when we raced in the Oilsands Cup, we placed 1st. Topmade Phoenix finished off the day with 3rd place overall, but there are some pretty strong women's teams out there, including the Breast Cancer boats.

The most interesting event of the day was after the Division A Finals when a boat flipped. Scott ( www.ninjashowdown.com) has a fairly good detailed description of it here. Essentially, the Dragonneers' boat t-boned the Guardian Dragons' boat after it crossed the finish line and dumped all the Guardian Dragons into the water. There's a little history behind that.

Brian and Mads followed along on the second day. I hope they enjoyed themselves and they were quite good about looking after our camera for us. All in all, yet another memorable Dragonboat Festival.

Topmade Phoenix in the lead by a full boat length.

UTS Energy Dragons heading out for a race.

Dragonboating's hard work!

Brian and Mads tagged along for the whole day and took care of our camera.

"That was an ok race..." Sandi, Andre, and Mads

Arnold at his best: pumping up one of our boats.

Topmade hi-fives the women's team coming up the dock.

Karen and Richard trade thoughts about the race they just finished.

Gear inside the tent.

S-T-R-E-T-C-H! That's how you get ready for a race! Andre and fellow boat-mate.

"That was a good race! " Scott, Sheldon, and other Dragonneers.

Shannon and I demonstrate UTS Energy, while Brian looks on.

My boat-mates discuss tactics for UTS Energy Dragon racing later on. Brian, Marvin, Hung.

Topmade Dragonneers working to bail out the dragonboat after it capsized due to a t-bone collision.

Welcome to Calgary...

... Brian and Mads!

In the first week, since we were wrapping up dragonboat, complete with a festival that was this past weekend we didn't do too much with them, but we did manage to get them to Tom's House of Pizza, some good ol' bbq'ed food, I got a bit of a makeover and hair done, did a touch of shopping for a mislaid watch, and we did a lot of chatting and photo sharing in the process.

We have plenty left in store for them now that our time has been freed up again. Yet, I miss my dragonboat teammates already...

Here's a scattering of photos from the last week.

Mads and Brian prepare to enjoy the BBQ feast by candlelight.

Food from the BBQ we had 3 days into their visit. The garlic shrimp dish was Mads' request.

No, my hair didn't explode. It's been beautified!

Quickies...

... the month of August is going to blow by much quicker than I had wanted it to.

Andre is attending Van's bachelor party and I'm attending Michelle's bachelorette party, on separate weekends. I'm not sure what'll happen at the bachelor party, but from what I've seen of helping plan the bachelorette party, the ladies' party should be a blast.

Depending on how comfortable Andre and I feel about having our camera on-site, we may/may not have photos from this year's dragonboat festival. I'd like to have some, but we'll see what happens.

It is only a matter of days before Brian and Mads are coming in! We are looking forward to seeing them and wish them a safe flight. I've given all my ph# in case they need to call us once they reach Calgary.

John's wedding also falls inside this month; and I am hoping Mads will give me a very complimentary hairstyle to match my dress.

Andre and I caught Phantom of the Opera on the 23rd. It was very well done, however I still favor the first performance I ever saw, back in 1997 in Toronto. :)