Year: 2011

Total Immersion Swimming

I am about half way through the book: Total Immersion by Terry Laughlin.  I have been swimming my laps for years and do have a pretty relaxed stroke. I’m almost 60 years old and this book with its innovative how-to stuff that Terry has put forth makes me feel like a teenager again.  Previously I was mainly interested in just keeping in shape.  NOW I’m very interested in doing some racing to see how I fare against others.  Still working on finding my ‘zone’ or sweet spot for the techniques that he talks about but I’m doing 14-16 strokes per length compared to most people I see doing 25-30 and and I’m going much faster. The edition that I’m reading is @1995 but there is an abridged on circa 2005.  Great book for any level of swimmer.

Yesterday I finished reading Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson. A more inspiring book I have not read in a long time.  He certainly takes you through an emotional roller coaster ride.  This man has the single mindedness of a myopic bull.  And boy is he successful at what he does – that is: help people.  He is also, in my opinion an amazing administrator.  He finds capable people in the most unusual places, gives them a chance, shows them what is needed and lets them get on with it.  He is also ruthless in his pursuit of the good.

One of the most uplifting parts of the book is that it shows how many really good people there are in the world and they can be found anywhere and everywhere.

I was working at the World of Wheels Show at the Stampede grounds this past weekend. Some really sweet rides, believe me. Right across from us there was this 1969 yellow Camaro SS that was an absolute work of art. Owned by Craig and Denise. (I hope I have the names correct.)  This is Craig’s ninth or tenth restoration.

1969 Camaro SS

circa 1938 jaguar

There were tons of great muscle cars and some much older like the front end of this circa 1938 Jaguar Sedan. I spoke to the owner for a while.  Justifiably quite proud of his work.

I’m a big proponent of Home Schooling. Most of our kids’ ‘schooling’ was done at home – the important stuff. I have listed a few good links here of sites that have some good information and links about homeschooling.

John Holt
Pat Farenga

And here is a quote from a John Holt interview that was done in 1980. 

“Q: What about the child’s social life?
A: As for friends – you’re not going to lock your kids in the house. I think the socializing aspects of school are ten times as likely to be harmful as helpful. The human virtues – kindness, patience, generosity, etc. are learned by children in intimate relationships, maybe groups of two or three. By and large, human beings tend to behave worse in large groups, like you find in school. There they learn something quite different – popularity, conformity, bullying, teasing, things like that. They can make friends after school hours, during vacations, at the library, in church.”

Went to a great Pub in Airdrie on Saturday evening. Killarney’s Pub We are in the southwest and it only took us about 35 minutes to get there. I lived in Toronto a large part of my life so 35 minutes to get somewhere is nothing. Free parking – nice. A very comfortable atmosphere. Decent pub food. The desserts were especially good.

But we went for the music. Some friends of the musicians invited us and I’m so glad. I’m a big fan of Blues and Jazz. They are a jazz duet out of the Toronto area and from what I gather, play at Killarney’s Pub when they are in the area.

Chris Smith and Turner King. Chris on the guitar and Turner playing Sax. They played a lot of jazz favourites and some nice adaptations. I loved their version of Sea of Love. Both very accomplished musicians. A very easy style that is pleasant to listen to. I’d see them again and will keep an eye on Chris’s website: Chris Smith Live

Turner and I chatted for about 30 minutes about music, movies and education – I love his way with kids.