I taste dead people.

I work in a basement to afford to rent someone else’s basement.

I can tell when I’m missing out on sunny weather by looking at the rows of glass bricks that wrap around the workshop. It’s still an upgrade from working downtown, where people frequently used the bench outside the patio to smoke a cigarette. I’d step out to use the air compressor to redirect their smoke and annoy them with the noise.

That didn’t work as well as one would expect. I frequently had to shut the door to keep the smoke out, and while this bike shop had windows, they were covered in decals. I’ve yet to see a bike shop that is clean, cozy, and aesthetically pleasing.

Anyway, the daylight hours have extended enough for me to soak up some sunshine after work. Last Sunday, I joined Daniel for his “recovery” ride, as did Rory. I suggested doing some hills around Cadboro Bay, but the waterfront loop Alexa and I did last week seemed more straightforward for my first ride with these guys.

It was a mistake until it wasn’t.

Continue reading “I taste dead people.”

A stabby week.

It’s been two days since my dental work, and I’ve been following the aftercare instructions, which advise against smoking. Instead, I’ve been enjoying an evening highs fuelled by cannabis beverages. It gives me the best kind of high but at a higher cost.

I have stitches halfway down the middle of the roof of my mouth. After pushing it deeper, the dentist did a bone graft to reinforce the implant.

Before I got the implant, I asked a friend who I knew had them how the procedure went for them. What they said was reassuring, if not vague (given their implant happened over 20 years ago).

To anyone who has stumbled upon this post and wants to know how much it sucks to get dental implants:

Continue reading “A stabby week.”

All the hearts.

Let’s get right into it:

On Tuesday, I received a text from my uncle telling me Opa was in the hospital with heart problems. I was told not to come and that he was doing ok.

My 99-year-old opa is in the hospital? How was I supposed to stay optimistic? I only had about 30 minutes left on the clock, so I told myself I could finish the bike I was working on.

I couldn’t do it. With 15 minutes to go, I bailed and walked my bike home as I was too distressed to ride. Upon arriving home, I crashed on the couch, exhausted from all my emotions. I woke up from my nap around 8pm and checked my phone.

Opa had a heart attack.

Continue reading “All the hearts.”

It’s *not* lupus.

Last Thursday, a doctor examined the results of my bloodwork. As expected, my high White Blood Cell count was just the harbinger of the cold that took me down two weeks ago. While I don’t have an explanation for all the weirdness going on in my body (e.g. clogged meibomian glands, Raynaud Syndrome, and general fragility), being told I don’t have an auto-immune disorder was good news.

“Of course, it’s good news!” the doctor responded.

I don’t think he was a fan of my apparent ambivalence.

Following this good news, he had me lie on the examination table to slice me up. I mean, this was a part of the appointment–I was also there to get a benign growth removed from under my left knee; however, I rode my bike to this appointment thinking the removal would be the equivalent of popping a zit. I wasn’t anticipating a 1″ incision requiring three stitches. Fortunately, the doctor froze the area, so I didn’t feel a thing during my 25-minute ride home.

Upon arrival, I realized the blood from the sutured incision soaked through the bandages AND my pants. The appointment was at 10am, and around 8pm, I rolled up my pajama pants, put my left foot on the coffee table and prodded around the incision. The roomie witnessed my idiocy and lectured me: “Don’t touch it!”

“BUT I STILL DON’T FEEL A THING. IT’S WEIRD.”

Continue reading “It’s *not* lupus.”

FJTD List.


Next to me, I have a fat, juicy to-do list for the weekend (Thurs-Sat, in my case). It is a mix of tasks I dread and projects I’m stoked about. I’ve also peppered it with everyday duties that would’ve been done even without this list. I put them on there for the added satisfaction of having extra items to cross off.

I’m already halfway through the list. Pay credit card: Done! Laundry: Folded and hung! Email ICBC: done even though I shouldn’t have had to do it. The claims specialist who is dealing with the property damage coverage side of things last emailed me on November 12.

“I appreciate your patience and will reach out once I have an update to discuss the next steps.”

Two weeks later, I sent them a breakdown of my ride file, complete with screenshots, hoping to expedite the decision. I never got a response.

And the email I sent today? I received an automated Out of Office notification.

I have continued to make good use of the new wheel, but I’ve yet to receive a reimbursement. Ever since I reactivated my Zwift membership, I’ve been parking my road bike in front of my laptop every other day. In my previous post, I shared screenshots showing the difference between my performance a year ago and on December 26, a week after getting back on the trainer after a three-month hiatus.

I did this workout again (Red Unicorn) last week. The results surprised me.

Continue reading “FJTD List.”