The Eco Dad

It's easier, and a lot more fun, to showcase life's victories. Last year I completed my first 5km race. This year I completed my first 10km race. This weekend I attempted my first Try-a-Tri triathlon. Finishing races and raising money for good causes was sunshine and lollipops. This triathlon thing? A disaster. It was the complete opposite of sunshine and lollipops. It was shit storms and black licorice.  Artist's rendition of my swim at the Try-a-Tri This journey of eco-friendly frugality, family and fitness isn't going to be victory after victory.  I'm not perfect. No one is. There are, inevitably, going to be losses and heart break. I'm not going to hide mine to create some facade of infallibility.  I posted a DNF at this Try-a-Tri and the feeling of disappointment was brutal. There isn't much else to say. I shit the proverbial bed.  What's important though is what happens after the fall. It's easy to give up and move on, but then I...

As the disposable razor supply in my house reaches what I'd consider a critical low point, I have, with great patience, found a honing stone. It's a tad dirty and needs a good lapping (flattening), but I have a means to sharpen my old straight razor. Victory! I was starting to give up and even saved a website on my browser for buying new stones and a lapping apparatus. Guess I won't be needing that! I've also found a guy who hones straight razors that works where some friends of mine live, so even without the stone, I'd have a way to sharpen my razor. Ta-da, an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable razors that also supports small business. Not bad. This is going to take some work ... thankfully there's YouTube! I also found a seamstress willing and able to fix my favorite shorts. Cost? $12 ... there was more than one hole that needed sewing. 😬 No matter. You'd be hard pressed to find a pair of shorts you'd consider your favorite f...

You know that whole " do one thing every day that scares you? " Yeah, not so sure that's the best advice. I'm sure it's got limitations and such. For instance, I took the plunge and registered for a Try-A-Tri ... an introduction, of sorts, to triathlons. Why is that a scary idea? Simply put: I suck at swimming. Seriously, I'm terrible at it. I can tread water for like 30 seconds before I need friggin' water wings. What's worse is I have less than 2 months to get some beginner level of proficiency under my belt. Pray for my swimming abilities. Know what else I suck at? Cycling. Didn't think that was possible? It is. Borrowed the wife's bike the other night and sweet Jesus those gears just slip in and out, to and fro. One second I'm struggling to push forward, the next second it's like peddling does nothing. I get it's different gears and such, but after close to 7kms I had zero figured out. At the half way point I just put it at th...