Corporate Challenge is Done! (And a delicious recipe for friends)

So it's over. 

Thank.  Fucking.  Christ.  (admittedly, I'm not christian, but it's a cultural saying, and since I really don't have a diety that I worship I ain't got nothing better.  "Thank. Fucking. Tree." doesn't sound quite the same. )

So, we placed 4th overall in volleyball, 5th overall in slo-pitch, 21st overall in run, and dead last in dragon boat. 

Things I learned:

1.) I need to learn to say no - it doesn't look like alot, or rather it didn't look like too much, but it was.  WAY too much.  I ended up with a wicked scrape on my leg and a bit of a damaged rotator cuff (not debilitating, but definately bad enough that I'll need to spend some time on strengthening/mobility) and because I don't really ever quit, it was unpleasant towards the end. 

2.) Dragon boating is pretty much amazing.  The club in Edmonton is down in Dawson Park, and they practice every weeknight at 6:30 (on the water, so if you want to go show up early).  It's $150 annual membership, and if you're not sure you can try it 3 times for free.  It is such a workout that I'm going to join I think.  It was wicked, and I really loved being on the water.  The front of the boat is so difficult, and the back is just plain tricky, but its SO DAMN GOOD. 

3.) I can run a 5k faster than I think, the team only placed 21st, but I finished 10th in my heat, which is pretty good considering the caliber of the people that I saw finishing before me.  I ran it in 22:07, which I thought was pretty damn respectable since I run once a week and was holding back a bit so that I would be useful in volleyball playoffs immediately after. WIN.

4.) Slo-pitch is WAY harder than I remember. 

5.) The week off of nothing after was epic, and I actually do work with some pretty cool people (especially the environmental department - they pretty much pwn.)

6.) Ultimate Frisbee is still effing hard.

7.) My vibrams are pretty much the BEST court shoe imaginable, but referees REALLY don't like to see you wearing them.  (Yes, I got in an argument about my ability/right to wear them on a volleyball court - the rules state that footwear should be flexible and non-marking.  I'd say my vibrams meet those requirements.  Besides, you're ALLOWED to play barefoot if you want.)  Why?  You have a better feel for the court and the agility work required for digging/hit coverage is much much easier.  The only cost was probably 1 or 2 inches of vertical, and that was probably more psycoological than anything. 


Cauliflower Soup - perfect for a cold, rainy day

-One diced onion
-A couple chopped carrots
-Enough butter for some frying
-4 cloves of garlic
-1 tsp(ish) Tumeric
-1 tsp(ish) Paprika
-Pinch red chille flakes (these'll get more active the more you cook)
-Light dash of cayenne
-1 Tbsp(ish) Curry Powder
-dash Cumin
-sprinkle Coriander
-3 cups vegtable stock (Or chicken stock)
-1/2 cup (ish) of coconut milk
-head of cauliflower
-2 florets? of broccoli

Okay, first off, I'm going to apologize RIGHT NOW about the approximate quantities.  Its a problem I have with indian inspired/type dishes because all I really truely do when cooking them is follow my nose.  Each spice add's its own unique kick, and some may find certain spices offensive, but the soup is sweet, with a bit of spicy kick, a pleasant warmth, and a little buttery. 

Fry the onions and carrots till a little soft with the galirc.  Add spices.  Let sizzle a bit, then add the veggie stock and coconut milk.  Simmer for 15 min.  Add the cauliflower and simmer a bit.  Add the broccoli about 15 min before serving.  Real simple, and with a bit of tweaking, quite a beautiful creation.

We serve it with roasted chicken, but you can quite easily add sliced chicken to the soup (I did that with my leftovers) and it makes a pretty nice soup. 

Tomorrow night I'l update with some of my other experiments (sorry no pictures until I make them again). 

Ciao!

Pat