The Blog According to Buzz

The Vancouver Marathon had 13 000+ people weaving their way through 42k of Vancouver streets this weekend, and among the bobbing heads and shuffling feet were more than a few members of Team Diabetes.

While I’m getting ready to run the Easter Island Marathon in June 09, there are marathons every couple of months around the world that feature dozens of Team Diabetes members.

Rio, Honolulu, Reykjavik, Vancouver…

Watching the news highlights today I threw myself on my annual guilt trip for not being in enough shape to even participate in the half marathon. It’s been 5 years since I ran in the Vancouver Marathon.

8 weeks later I ran a second one in Iceland, and in between I hiked 42km up the Inca Trail to Machu Piccu. 2003 was a very active year. 2008? Not so much. But that will change. The plans are set for next June and I know next May I will at least run the half, maybe even the full.

What about you? Were you inspired seeing these people from all walks of life accomplish one of those 43 things on pretty much everyone’s life list? Do you wanna do it?

Team Diabetes can help. You’ll be off to do your marathon in an exotic world city, you’ll have an entire organization supporting you and helping you with training, and you’ll be raising money and awareness for diabetes. Actually, just by training for the marathon you’ll be fighting diabetes. A healthy lifestyle is the best defense and marathon training demands you live on the right side of the line.

So… who’s in for a marathon? Maybe a half? What about a 10k or inline skate? Here are some upcoming events and Team Diabetes entry deadlines:

Honolulu - Registration Deadline: June 27, 2008
Marathon Date: December 14, 2008
Distances Available: Full Marathon and 10km Race Day Run/Walk
Travel Dates: Participants depart Canada on December 11th and return on December 16th.

Prague - Registration deadline: October 10, 2008
Marathon Date: Early May 2009
Distances Available: Full Marathon, & 10K In-line Skate

Easter Island - Registration deadline: August 8, 2008
Marathon Date: June 2009
Distances Available: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k

Gold Coast (Australia) - Registration deadline: October 24, 2008
Marathon Date: Early July 2009
Distances Available: Full and Half Marathon, 10K

If you’re still not convinced, but want to support the cause, throw some of your tax refund at my Team Diabetes Easter Island push. You’ll pick up a tax receipt for next year’s return, and you’ll help millions in their fight with diabetes.

The Blog According to Buzz. Spread the word, ya heard?

Memo to Crazy Dog Lovers from Crazy Baby Lovers:

I know it’s an off-leash park. I know you and your canine love the ability to galloping through the wilderness without tethers.

But you’re not the only one in the park. There are those of us who like to run with our babies, or hike with our toddlers or stroll with our grandparents through these parks.

Vancouver’s well-behaved canine population can take part in special off-leash privileges … not exclusively for dogs but are to be shared with all park users. Owners are responsible for the actions of their dogs. [source]

Yes, there are big signs that say “Off Leash Dog Park” when you enter the area, but they do not also say “Dogs Will Jump On You and Eat Your Baby Park.”

I run along Lynn Creek a couple times a week. Jen doesnt like it because it’s an off leash park, I don’t mind it, I’ve never had a problem with a dog or owner. They usually run right past me, chasing after a stick, of the owners call them back and they listen.

Now dogs are particularly freaky when you have a baby in a stroller. The head height of the dog is pretty much even with the head height of your baby. So to think that a nasty flea bitten varmint could lunge and rip your child’s skull to bits is not totally unreasonable.

Today, on my run with Zizou, a pit bull looking pup ran towards us. I turned the stroller around and looked at the owner as if to say “come on, call your dog off.” She yelled, the dog didnt listen, it kept right up at us, jumped on me at which time I started yelling and cursing at the owner to get her mutt down.

She took issue with me bringing my baby in an off leash dog park.

Like I said, I know it’s an off leash area. I expect dogs to run around, I just don’t expect them to jump on me or get in my child’s face.

If you can’t heel your animal, I suggest you stick to the leashed parks for a while. Yes, the sign says Off Leash Dog Park, but if your dog attacks me and my child, you’ll have to look for my number, call me up and ask “Why Did You Kick My Dog?”

The Blog According to Buzz. Spread the word, ya heard?

Almost as many people will watch the SuperBowl on Sunday to see the commercials between the plays, as will watch to see Brady v Manning.

It’s become a part of the culture of the game. It’s the day Madison Avenue cranks up it’s best and Monday newscasts are covered with extra free plays of the spots.

YouTube’s early days were fueled by our desire to watch these cool commercials. Since the spots are what we want, why not “leak” your commercial a few days in advance? Instead of getting lost in the post-game hype, you can capture some of the pre-game chatter.

Here are the spots that have surfaced so far:

Justin Timberlake for Pepsi.

Madonna and Shakira for Sunsilk.

That Madonna one is actually a duplicate posting, the original one was pulled because of “terms of use violation”?? An advertiser pulling a spot that people WANT to see, and they didnt have to pay for it? Colour me confused.

I’ll add more spots as they pop up.

The Blog According to Buzz. Spread the word, ya heard?.

I am soooo excited to have found a live stream of Good Day LA. It’s my kind of morning news show on tv. Loose, informative, silly, editorial - it’s good time. And I can watch it in a tiny window on my computer while I work - love the internets.

How are you doing on your New Year’s Resolutions? cyberbuzz has a list of sites and apps you can use to help you stay in the groove.

I also have a post about online speed-dating. Meg won’t try it, maybe you will?

The Blog According to Buzz. Spread the word, ya heard?.

Okay, so Meg doesnt believe in New Year’s Resolutions on New Year’s Eve. She says:

..nothing in life changes because of the date, unless you decide it does. And you can do that any day of the year, be it January 1st or April 3rd or August 29th.

And Meg did. She scrubbed her Facebook profile in mid-December and started new. Good for Meg.

I’m doing things the regular old way. I waited until today and I’m making changes.

Here’s the first one:

I also plan to focus on maintaining an accurate budget, an organized workspace, successful blogs, a less stressed attittude, and, simply, trying harder.

It’s the last one that I want to ring true this year. I want to be honest with my effort. In work, in love, in play, in everything.

To be honest, most successes in my life have come easy. This year I won’t take them for granted, I will earn them and I will grow beyond expectations.

The Blog According to Buzz. Spread the word, ya heard?

    - Nat and Drew's Daily Dirt: Will Smith is starting to soften on Scientology, Lindsay Lohan's ex is selling her soul, Sean and Robin are splitting, Cash and Jessica are engaged.

    - Don't name your baby Friday if you live in Italy.

    - Looking for a way to get rid of your real tree? Call 604-RECYCLE.

    - Cathie Mostowyk, author of The Shoestring Shopping Guide was in to give us some regifting on eBay tips.

    - Time for New Year's Resolutions.  Want to run a marathon?  Today's Province has the training guide for the Vancouver Marathon in May.

    - Bored at work today?  Check out this cute and hilarious video of a baby giving the Evil Eye.

The Blog According to Buzz. Spread the word, ya heard?

It’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to make your life better - the infamous New Year’s Resolution.

Quit smoking, start exercising, eat better, save money - y’know, stuff like that. Never mind Lent, New Year’s is the time we really take stock of our life and try to cut out all the bad stuff, for a week anyway.

I won’t let you in on my NYR, just yet. I do believe in accountability as the best way to help with resolutions. Telling as many people as possible gives you a support system to keep you clean in your ways.

If you’re thinking about getting fit in the New Year, set a real, achievable and strong goal. Not a “lose 10lbs” sort of thing, but an “I will do a Marathon” kind of thing.

Today’s Province newspaper has the training guide for the Vancouver Marathon coming up in May.

I’ve done 3 marathons and 5 half marathons. It will kick your ass and make you happier. Clip out the guide. Follow it. Finally keep a resolution.

The Blog According to Buzz. Spread the word, ya heard?