Category: Family

Family

The new addition

Christine Cogger

Meet Kobe.

Kobe office

 

He’s the latest addition to the household.  A purebred Rhodesian Ridgeback, this handsome dude lived the first 4 years of his life living in a pen filled with garbage, eating – you guessed it – garbage.  He was eventually surrendered to animal control and, long story short, he now lives with us!

He’s got no manners, doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going, and is scared of his own shadow.  But he’s sweet, friendly, the kids love him and he likes to keep us company.  I think we’ll keep him.

Day-to-day life, Family

Neither an Event nor an Adventure. But damn funny.

Christine Cogger

Herewith, a guest post of sorts.

My youngest sibling moved to Vancouver somewhat recently after a few years abroad.  As he works from home and his siblings are old people with kids – who hang out with people with kids, he figured he’d join a social/singles club in an effort to branch out and meet people.

On particular club’s website (I won’t link – I’ll let you google it yourself lest I get my brother in trouble), they bill the experience as “When you are at an Events and Adventures event, it doesn’t seem like dating. When you’re having an adventure, all you want to do is share the experience. There’s no better way to meet someone new.”

Right-o.

Please do yourself a favour and read firsthand what this latest adventure delivered.  He emailed this to me and I asked his permission to post.  I may or may not have been cry-laughing at his expense/with him.  Enjoy.

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Outing: Seawall Cycling – Science World to Spanish Banks (approx. 13.5 KM)

Event /Adventure / Other (Specify): Other – waste of fucking time

Participation: 6 – 3 Dudes, 3 ladies

Median Age: 40

Average Looks: 4/10 (generous)

Descriptions:

1x recumbent bike cyclist

2x Canadian Tire Bikes (users did not know how to shift gears)

1 x Woman riding her daughter’s pink bike with flares on handle bars

1 x Spandex Guy, complete with heart rate monitor and clipless pedals

Success level (Select one):

Success

Meh (Check)

Failure

Unmitigated fucking disaster

Report: 

After last week’s unmitigated disaster (Trivia Night), I decided to give Single’s Club another shot, and signed up for a bike round along Vancouver’s Seawall. This is one of the gems of the city, and as tonight was a warm, sunny spring evening, and I was riding my own getaway vehicle, I figured, what the heck. I paid a hefty, non-refundable fee for the privilege.

Arrived at departure point approx. 15 minutes ahead of time for recon purposes. Immediately observed Spandex Guy and Flare Handle bars at designated meeting point. Chose to hang back and see if there was any hope. Any hope at all.

5 minutes ahead of departure, with no other cyclist approaching, decided to step in. Immediately accosted by Flarebars, who needs help with her helmet. Poor thing had no idea which way is meant to face forward. Sigh. Spandex guy was of course, the group host.

Next on scene is Recumbent Cycle Guy who literally circled the group and honked his old-timey “bocket socket!” type horn. Awesome. Up next is Canadian Tire Bike Guy. Riding a sweet full suspension SuperCycle, he proceeded to extol the virtues of his “sweet ride” (his words), reminding us at least 4 time that it cost him $700 (Note: how does one get ripped off on a Canadian Tire bike?). Finally, Canadian Tire Girl arrives, basically dressed for a mid-winter ride (read: ski goggles & scarf). In her defense, she lost the goggles when we started).

Bringing the total to 6 people including myself, Spandex quickly assess that we are 3 short of the registered participation – a whopping 9 people!! Clearly, the membership of Events & Adventures are a lively bunch, up for anything – Fucking Trivia Night had 2.5x the turn-out!

We delay departure an additional 10 minutes in the faintest hope of more people joining us, meanwhile, the majority of the group chat like old friends – literally referencing how much fun this ride was last spring. My assessment is that if the group’s membership have A) known each other for a year B) are return customers year-on-year, the system is fundamentally flawed.

We finally depart heading West. Average speed is hovering around 7 km/h. I can literally ride and compose the first section of this report on my phone simultaneously.

Canadian Tire Crew weave erratically between the much better-looking general public who are riding bikes, jogging, and skateboarding on the path like normal people. Spandex is alternating between leading and tail-gunning in order, I can only assume, to maintain a modicum of group morality, as conversation has ceased entirely, replaced instead with heavy breathing and much complaining about the rest of the public on the path.

Canadian Tire Bike Girl (goggles safely stowed) opens a dialogue with me at Cambie Street. I mention that I lived in London, UK – yes, I specified UK – for a couple of years. She seizes upon this tidbit with the enthusiasm of a shipwreck victim, as she too lived in London for 18 years! Finally, someone to chat with, methinks, naively optimistic! She proceeds to pepper me with leading questions. Within minutes, she realizes yes, I said London UK, not London ON, and between that, her inability to both cycle and converse simultaneously, and her laboured breathing, the conversation dies a painful, awkward death.

I sprint (roughly 9km/h) to Spandex Guy, having contrived an excuse whereby I don’t have my wallet on me, I want to duck out early to see if it is at home or if it might have accidentally fallen out of my pocket. The group halts, thankfully, I am sure, given the intense perspiration and heaving, slumped bodies. I bid them a fine evening. See you next time.

Analysis: 

While not the Unmitigated Fucking Disaster of Trivia Night, I conclude that I will simply go ride my bike along the seawall sans the encumbrance of these this group of semi-functional sociopaths.

I also stop at the liquor store on the way home for a bottle of wine.

Next Steps:

Friday evening is pub night. With the mean of the 2 events hovering at failure, I have concluded I have nothing to lose, and will attend as a last-ditch effort. If all else fails, I may drink too much and read them this report.

Epilogue, February 2015

I am pleased to report that the author now has a lovely girlfriend, no thanks WHATSOEVER to this stupid group.

 

 

 

 

Day-to-day life, Family, Kids, Pemberton

Saturday.

Christine Cogger

Let’s face it.  When your 3 year old tells you she doesn’t want to go skiing because there are too many rocks, it’s time to move to plan B.  I can’t really argue with her, it’s not as though we’ve had a stellar winter to date.

Saturdays agree with me lately.  The kids are fairly cooperative in letting me sleep in (and by sleep in, I mean the clock doesn’t lead with a 6), cartoons are allowed and therefore coffee is consumed in peace, and it’s a day off from work and training.  These days, I’ve even been good and stayed away from the stimulation/black hole of social media!  (Pats self on back).

While we skied last weekend in balmy 12C, this Saturday was cold and sunny, so the little people wandered across the road to skate on their “rink”: a frozen puddle in the middle of a hay field.  I felt so Canadian!  Too bad I don’t own skates.

I suspect that tomorrow we’ll be back to regularly scheduled programming and be back on the hill.  We just can’t seem to stay away.  As it should be!

Day-to-day life, Family, Pemberton, Racing, Random, Skiing, Whistler

‘Twas the season and all that.

Christine Cogger

Sitting at the counter, surrounded by bits and pieces of Christmas and New Year’s detritus.  1 kid at daycare, the other 2 playing outside with a friend in what can only be called an honest to goodness downpour.  Welcome 2014!

So… whatcha been up to these last few weeks?  I wish I could think of something riveting to say but I can sum up the last 6 weeks in bullet points and pictures.  Hurray for the iPhone camera feature!  Otherwise I’m pretty sure my memory would erase 87% of the daily stuff that goes on in these parts.

– Ski school, blessed wonderful ski school has resumed for 2/3 kids.  That means we can now all ski together.  And that also means we don’t fit on one chairlift (cue the “I want to ride with Mama/Dada!” arguments).

-I couldn’t really hack retirement.  Back to work!  Thrilled.

-I’ve tackled some more structured training in light of some looming races (damn you, foolish near-unachievable goals!)  It feels good to shift into a routine.  And hey!  I can almost swim!  And I’ve remembered what it’s like to sweat on the wind trainer.  GTs.

-Contrary to all the lovey-dovey, 2013 was so wonderful #lucky13 posts I’ve read lately, I am not at all sad to see this year end.  It was a frustrating one for me and I’m ready to move into even numbers.

-Speaking of the New Year, I’m not one for resolutions but I suppose I resolve to eat better (hahaha – I say that every year) and to spend at least one weekend every month totally unplugged.  I think even I can manage that.

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In kid news, this 2 week/3 weekend Christmas break with very little snow is kind of kicking my ass.  They might be loath to admit it, but I think even the boys are ready to head back to school.

A few of the latest Anja quotes:

“Mama, when you were on your trip, I was looking at the ground and then I splattered my face on the ground.”

Me: “Can you be quiet?” Her: “No.  My heart doesn’t like that so I listen to it.”

“Mama, elephants do not wear bathing suits.”

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And lastly, a round up in pictures, in no particular order.

 

Family, Kids

The Author

Christine Cogger

For the last few days, instead of playing Lego when he comes home from school, Will has been grabbing his art kit and working on his “series”.  He’s decided to create a series of books based on “Super Chocolat”, his invented super hero.  It’s pretty fascinating to watch him come up with ideas, characters and locations for his adventures.  Sure, they’re phonetically written and sometimes I have to guess at what’s written, but it’s still pretty awesome.

I think the best part may be that he’s created his own logo.

Maybe someone in this family will be a writer, after all.  Maybe we’ll have a guest post here soon.

Day-to-day life, Family, Kids

Well, this is unexpected.

Christine Cogger

33.3km separate me from the kids today.  That, in and of itself, is not unusual.  I go to work, they do their thing, and so it goes.  Our little family has been spoiled of late as Jay hasn’t been on the road as much, my schedule has allowed for some flexibility and Ann is always in the background with a helping hand.

But today, as I dropped the boys off at school and Anja at daycare, it really hit me that once I head South on Highway 99, they are on their own in this little village until I come back at 5pm.  Jay’s fall travel schedule has kicked in, Ann’s back at school.  I’m 33.3 kms away.

The kids were fine as I waved goodbye and watched their little selves walk away.  Nothing different in their worlds, really.  Friends, puddles, activities…  I, on the other hand, got hit with an overwhelming wave of separation anxiety that I just can’t seem to shake.  I mean, what if they forget about their after school activity and stand in the school parking lot waiting for me for hours? What if the road gets closed?  What if, what if, what if…

Surely, this too shall pass.  I damn well hope so, otherwise it’s going to be a very long winter.

"you go first".
“you go first”.
Family

One Year Gone.

Christine Cogger

Bubbles

One year ago, my mum passed away after a very long battle with cancer. We were at her side and, strange of it sounds, I cherish that moment. It’s not something that I can easily explain.

Some days, it feels as though years have passed since she left us and other feel as though it was only yesterday. I’ve been dreading the anniversary and, as expected, her birthday a few days ago was a difficult day. Today isn’t much better.

I’ve been thinking of what I’d write on this day. At first, I thought about writing about all the things that had happened during this past year that she’s missed. But the reality is that I think that’s too hard for me to do and besides, it’s something I do by myself everyday. When I’m on a run, or whenever one of the kids do something silly or something crazy happens, I always think something along the lines of “can you believe this?!” I still reach for the phone or think to jot her a quick email. I suspect that instinct won’t ever fade.

A few months after her death, rather than have a funeral, we had a Celebration of Life. I’m quite certain she would have *hated* a morose affair and so we celebrated her life by gathering our families and friends and sharing our memories of her. It was a day I will always remember.

I thought I’d share what I said that day.

Thank you all for coming and sharing this day with us. Mum would have surely liked to see you all and catch up on all the news. But she didn’t much like parties or being the centre of attention… so she’s probably the one who made it snow yesterday. She’s probably somewhere waving her hands and wondering what all the fuss is about.

I’d like to extend a special thank you to all those who supported her and my dad throughout her illness. Her friends and this special community. There are too many of you to name individually but we know she felt loved and cared for and never alone.

I’d like to recognize her doctors and nurses; Dr Barakett and Dr Koopman. I’m sure she wasn’t the easiest patient but she trusted her doctors implicitely and we all knew she was getting the best care possible. Her nurses, Nicole and Helene, made a huge impact on all our lives and we’ll always be thankful for your caring and understanding.

The words of support and love these past few weeks have helped me to realize how many people mum touched throughout her life. So many of her peers have shared stories of how they were affected by her strength and how they were inspired by her. So many of my peers like to remind me of how scary she was to them when we were growing up!

A few stories to illustrate this fact:

One summer, I was working with 2 guys who would become lifelong friends, Dave and Ryan. We were bored one evening and, after what were no doubt several beers or rye and gingers, the boys decided to introduce me to the game of Red Ass. We were being idiots and laughing and trouncing each other. Mid-way through the game, I heard something and turned to see Mum on the porch, watching us. Glass of wine in hand, she shook her head at us and asked “just what in the hell are you three doing?” It stopped Dave and Ryan in their tracks and has become lore between the 3 of us – particularly when one of them butchers her accent.

Later that summer – I was maybe 16 or 17, friends and I were out together partying on an island near our home. As my curfew came and went, I was still on the island at the mercy of friends driving the boat to get me home. At this point, I had sort of figured “well, you can’t be more late, right?”

Wrong.

When I finally got dropped off at home, I asked my friends to drop me at the end of our long driveway, in the hopes that no one would hear me and I’d get away scott-free.

Wrong.

As I walked up the driveway, the dogs started to bark from our screened-in porch.

“SHHHHHHHH”, I hissed.

That’s when I looked up, saw the glowing ember of Mum’s cigarette in the dark and heard her say “Don’t bother. I’m Awake”.

Needless to say, I was in deep shit.

Mum raised us to be strong, resilient and independent individuals. When I look at my brothers and my kids, I know how proud she was of all of us and I can only hope to be the kind of parent to them that she was to us – including that healthy dose of the scary part.

What I miss most now and think I will continue to miss for a very long time is not having her with me to share the silly things in life. When my kids say something funny or I get myself into some sort of ridiculous situation, she’s still the first person I think to email or call, and I can’t seem to shake that feeling. So if you are looking for someone to fill your inbox with silly quotes from 4 year olds, let me know – I’m your girl.

But I am thankful that my brothers and I had the kind of relationship with our Mum where we could share things anddespite the fact that we all live in different time zones, we always felt connected to her.

A few hours before she fell asleep for the last time, she looked at me and patted my cheek and told me not to look so worried, to go out and do something.

So let’s. Let’s DO something. Let’s raise a toast to a our mum, our sister, our friend. Let’s vow to remember her as the strong, opinionated, caring, funny, scary and determined woman she was and carry her with us on our adventures and life.

To Erica.

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