Good Bye Mike Gillis

Mike Gillis. you failed. yep, the team has fallen 3 straight years under you since the 2011 Finals. A lot of it is you, a lot of it is the players, but that comes back to you. Im glad they let you go. I cant feel sorry for you for the millions you will make not working for this team, but I want to thank you. you did give us a shot at the cup, that was part you, part nonis, part burke. its the way it works, we all know it, you inherit parts of another's job that inherited parts from another, you take those pieces and you make them into what you need to work for your vision. That almost worked. You came closer than any other GM in our history to that cup, even closer than 94.

But you SHOULD have won that, we SHOULD have won that, and its not been the same since.

Changes should have occurred after that season, but I can understand why you didn't want to tinker, hey you won another presidents trophy. However, losing to the kings that next year was bad, I mean really bad, we looked terrible, that is where it all went wrong and that is where changes - BIG changes should have been made.

They didn't happen and we got swept by the sharks the year after and you could see how much this team had fallen but no changes were made outside the coach. That wasn't enough almost everyone knew that, I guess we will see if the new GM thinks the same. If ownership thinks the same that THIS team will get it done then man this fan base is in for some hurt.

I think we will have the most interesting off season to date. Im excited about that. Not excited enough to pay thousands for tickets that I did before. Lets see what you have to say tomorrow Canucks. 

Love and Marriage, Love and Marriage....

I recently read this blog post. http://sethadamsmith.com/2013/11/02/marriage-isnt-for-you/

I understand his message however when I married Jennifer Lee Kaiser I did it because I wanted to have that union. To have that expression of love that I could share with the world. 

No I understand that not everyone really cares or needs to know that I am married and that I found my soul mate but thats not what its about anyway and I don't think its about marrying for the sole reason its for the other people. 

I believe its commitment shown to each other, AS IS the commitment of two in love that choose NOT to be married. 

You don't HAVE to be married to show your love, I chose to, I chose to celebrate my love with my friends and family, I chose to be happily walking down that aisle and waiting to see my wife to be. It was not for religion, it was not for her, and it was not for me, it was for US, it was for our love. 

Express it anyway you want, but if you love and you stay with the one you love, marriage or not its for you. Love man... its pretty cool

Luke Sidewalker

One year ago today Luke passed to the bridge he was Jen and my first boxer and he is who got us started into Boxer Rescue as we wanted him to have his Leia (on the right). 

When we got him he was this skinny little big head that had the biggest kidney bean possible it was love at first sight. 

Luke was near 11 and full of life to the end, he was so gentle and loving and could put a smile on your face with a look. He helped Lovey into the pack and was our home visit puppy up until his retirement when Chewie took over. 

As you can see Luke was controlling the puppy that was fostering with us

He took his job very seriously (something Chewie has mimicked to the very core). 

Han today now has taken on so many of Luke characteristics.

He was a huge part of our lives and a void will always be felt but for what we lost this day 1 year ago Luke gave us 1000 times over that rests in a special place in our hearts. Here is the very last picture I took of Luke

Rest easy my boy, We love you.

Scentsy - A Man's Perspective

Scentsy - A Man's Perspective

Matt's view of Scentsy:

I started off as a loyal, supportive Scentsy Husband. I just wanted to watch my wife live Scentsy and enjoy her “hobby” and help out a little here and there. I hadn’t gone to any parties or events and just wanted be in the background to what she loved doing. Then the first warmer arrived and some scents. I immediately saw some potential in what was happening and being shown. As each new warmer came and each new scent delivered I became more and more hooked on Scentsy. I attended my first Scentsy function at Spring Sprint in 2013 and started to really see what Scentsy was about, but this was just a small sample to the Scentsy Family Reunion in Indianapolis in July 2013. That was the eye opener. I saw lawyers walk away from Law Firms, Mothers who overcome life events that would break most people and the bond of a “family” that I have not seen in most today. I use Family as that what Scentsy has become, you could feel it with the over 8000 people in Lucas Oil stadium during every day of the convention. People were full of joy, companionship and energy it was infectious. We as individuals are always looking in our lives for that true happiness, that joy and fellowship that can elude most forever. I felt that Scentsy was that during that convention. I came back from the family reunion in Indy closer to my wife and closer to a dream. One that was full of happiness. I believe Scentsy is a big part of that and will be a big part of our lives for many many years. I can "Scents" it.

The Path leads ever ON.....

Well I started a normal run today and found myself with no end in sight. I just could not bring myself to stop the run. What was supposed to be a 5 KM run turned into 14KM today. I was lost in thought didn't know which way I was going but I stayed on the path so I would not get lost.

The path seemed so peaceful even though the highway was off to the distance and I could hear cars driving past, they just became white noise. I seemed distant and lost in my head I was all over the place on the path weaving side to side. I had no focus and I keep seeing these black dots in my vision. Tiny little specks I looked it up they seem harmless pointed that my eyes are just getting older. If they persist I will contact my doctor. 

I came across this building. Thought that if I was being chased by zombies it would be a good point to defend. I always think like this. Not sure why. I have more plans to survive the zombie outbreak than I do living my normal life. Why is that. Drives me nuts. Notice the Corrosive Waning... WTF is in there lol.

then I came across this. It was under the 64th avenue Bridge. Someone set up some camp there. Looks to be sleeping there for some time as there is a 50L water jug a small bed roll and some sleeping bags. Good as place as any I suppose for them to live. I always thought that it wasnt terrible to live like that if you could eat and get water and keep somewhat warm. I would miss my puppies and my wife terribly but I suppose if Im in that state of mind I wouldnt know what I was missing. But it seems so simple that it could be so easy to fall into with no responsibility. 

But then I got back on the path. Back to where I came from with again no thoughts in my head that really mattered. I just kept running back with nothing in my head sorted out. Probably more confused than anything. I just cant seem to get anything straight in my head. It sucks I am finding no motivation anywhere. Money is not the factor here. The Money is just what I need so someone else doesn't take what I have earned. It means nothing more than that to me. I think that if I could just live with no money and eat and be warm and love I could just be happy. but again it seems so simplistic. Im guessing that Im going through a bit of a mid life crisis which I guess takes me back onto my path. So I guess Ill keep running, running on that path, The one that seems to go ever on.

 I wonder if I will find my destination soon

Stumbling On My Path: WBBR PUB NIGHT FUNDRAISER - SUNDAY August 25th - G...

Stumbling On My Path: WBBR PUB NIGHT FUNDRAISER - SUNDAY August 25th - G...: FINALLY!!! The much anticipated event of the year is here!!!       Sunday August 25th, 2013 Burnaby Firefighters Club, 6515...

Run Fatboy Run...

So you want to run? Congrats. Im happy for you. Running is a commitment to be sure. Starting with a goal is the smartest thing even I didnt have that when I started I just ran (Run Fatboy Run). 

Here are some tips I learned right away for running. 

Buy a GOOD pair of Runners. Make sure they are comfortable durable and somewhat resistent to water (you can get a spray) and can breath so your feet dont overheat. 

Buy comfortable clothes or at least wear them for running (nothing too loose that can cause accidents) and nothing too tight as it can restrict blood flow and affect your run. I wear lululemon dry fit shirts and a pair of Nike Pants (you can wear shorts and it does not have to be nike or lululemon by any means). 

For your shoes, pop into a Running Room or Rackets and Runners or the Right Shoe or some store like those. Specifically a running store. They will get you to take off your shoes, crouch down, watch you walk, etc.. They might also want to look at the wear pattern on your existing runners so wear those when you go in, tell them what you are doing, what kind of distance and what kind of terrain. If they don't ask or aren't interested in the information, go somewhere else. 

With regards to types of shoes, don't get hung up on a name brand. Sometimes the brand/model changes from time to time. there is no silver bullet with shoes. Shoes + form + proper training = success (where success is defined as pain free running)

The only pain you should feel is in your muscles as you kick yourself from one level to another

Buy Running Socks. Do not use normal cotton socks as they dont let your feet breath. I didn't think these would be important but they are for comfort and not getting blisters. 

That's a good start for equipment (also a running rain coat may be needed if you melt in the rain) I personally love running in the rain and when I am quite wet so I dont wear one as of now. 

I find whats important is having something (a GPS tool) to track my runs. this will help me in seeing my time and length improvements. you can get free ones on the iphone or samsung but I paid for mine ($3.99 for the Nike run app which is great and $9.99 for the Zombies Run one which is so much fun but full of lots of bugs) you can also use your normal GPS on your phone but you have to track your own runs and improvements

For running 

STRETCH... every run before and after STRETCH for the love of god if you dont you will regret this no matter how it feels when you do. It will feel worse if you pull a muscle or the next day after no stretch (by the way the next day will be sore and tight no matter how much you stretch but do it anyway) 

Start Short. Give yourself a small target. I did 2KM at the start and dont give yourself a crazy time to finish it in. Run 1 KM outside your house turnaround and run back to start only dont worry about your time but note it for your next runs. I would suggest as you feel your body adjust you can increase your runs but more on that later. For example my very first run I was 252 pounds and I ran 2 KM in 22 mins slow and steady I am now 215 pounds and run 12KM each time in 1 hour and 20 minutes . 

Start also with a light jog nothing to fast and dont push yourself the first few days get comfortable with the run and distance and then when you are comfortable increase  and increase it each time you feel comfortable with your new distance. 

Injuries - don't be afraid to take time off if something is feeling weird. you won't lose fitness that quickly. What you lose is motivation so if you need to take a break for a knee or back or something make sure you are being true to yourself for it. Dont risk it but dont find excuses. once you get into a rythm of running you will find its quite enjoyable. Also run different routes if you find you are getting bored with your run, it changes things up. 

Times - find a time that you can run when nothing else will interrupt your schedule and when you think you will have the most energy. I run at 8 am to about 9:30 am when Im alone and have nothing scheduled. Find that time for you - its important to do. 

Focus and Concentration - This I find may be the most important factor in the run, an app that gives you music or tracking becomes background noise at times but you need to focus on your run and environment (cars, people, road condition, animals - ESPECIALLY animals) if you focus on your run and concentrate on your area you will be fine and see a dramatic change in your runs and conditioning.

One last thing.. FORCE yourself to run when you are not wanting to. Get past that first 1KM and your body will kick into the rhythm  Your body will try to tell you to stop it hurts, stop this is not right, stop you cant do it, but get past the first hurdle and the rest will take its course. 

See you on the road