Some quick updates ...

Wow, been really lazy with the updates ... so here goes:

1. Training is going well ... I'm starting to feel fit again. Just about everything for the past 9 weeks has been low intensity so I'm looking forward to some mental stimulation (i.e. intervals). Been getting some lingering knee pain, which got me down for a couple days last week (hence the quote from Teddy). But, I've realized that it is that lingering patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner's knee) that I've had previously ... which i imagine is partly due to my skiing accident in 1998 where I lost some of that interior muscle on the right leg (it's always the right knee) ... so hopefully it's just a matter of doing some exercises to keep it in good shape. Also, a foot injury ... I dropped a shampoo bottle on it in the shower the other day and it still hurts.

2. Lynn and I have discovered (well, on TV) that Aussies have some bizarre sporting events here. First of all, there is NETBALL. It's like basketball, though you can't run with the ball, and there is no backboard, just the hoop. It's most often played by women and they wear skirts, which Lynn thinks is the only reason why any men would watch. They even have a national league. Then there is LAWN BOWLS ... try to put your ball close to the 'jack', which is a ball layed out in the field ... I would've thought this sport would attract those a little older ... but no, there was a championship b/w England and Australia and the Aussie was 32 ... in his prime, I guess. FIELD HOCKEY is played more often by men. Unlike in Canada, hockey has to be qualified by either 'ice' or 'field' so that one knows what you are talking about. And, of course, Melbournians are obsessed by FOOTY. And so am I, since I lead the footy tipping pool by 3 points and there are only 4 weeks left.

3. Big shakedown in North Melbourne last night. On our way back from the grocery store, they closed off parts of Curzon St right near the church. In excess of 5 police cars .... generally, it's a pretty sleepy inner suburb, so this was pretty exciting. Dunno what it was all about though.

4. We are thinking of breaking down and buying a car. It somewhat saddens me ... but there are lots of neat places within a couple hours drive of Melbourne that aren't easily accessible by long bike rides. I'm hoping for a HOLDEN, which is Australia's national car manufacturer .... though most of the parts are made by the Japanese now .... and just for reference, gas was at $1.18 per litre yesterday.