Teachable moments...

That SAD lamp seems to be working. It's only been three days but it feels like a summer morning when I have it on. I'm not one for watching morning TV, but because I have to sit beside it for about 15 minutes I have no choice.

At first I was watching the News. But the more I was watching it, the more I realized that it is all "mind noise", especially CNN or Squawk Box. They dissect stuff so deeply and make everything sound like urgent breaking news. It was giving me a headache.

I finally came across the best show to watch in the morning. It has a relaxing narrator, was not too serious and the more I watched it, the more I enjoyed it. The show is "Rich Bride, Poor Bride". It's on one of those women's channels and they follow a bride and groom through their preparations for their wedding while they try to stay on budget.

I love watching them argue about wedding stuff, especially the guys. Some of the guys are into it more than the women and will even argue about floral arrangements and such. One guy even tried to pick his bride a dress off the bargain rack for $299. She was having no part of it and was "pissed off" that he even came to the store. It's a great way to start and ease into the day with a few good laughs.

When I got married, I was smart enough to know it was Alice's day and between her, her mom and my mom, they planned the wedding. My only job was to show up. In fact, the morning of our wedding I did an Olympic Distance Triathlon. Our wedding was at 2 pm, so I had the time. I asked Alice if she minded and she said she didn't care so long as I showed up on time. Which I did.

Works been busy, we launched some new yearbook building software over the past couple weeks and we are getting awesome feedback. The schools love it, which is a very good thing. The only downside is that I'm not able to sneak away at lunch to do a little YMCA training.

Tonight was a speed bike session. It was a 1 x 20 minute time trial. I love those long intervals. I love humping through the pain. It was another nice night, 13C and a misty rain. Perfect weather for going hard. When I got back, Alice made a huge roast dinner and I had 5 wagon wheels for dessert. I wish she didn't buy them. She buys a big box of them for Reid's lunches and I end up eating them. Man are they good. I'm craving chocolate lately and have no wagon wheel willpower.

When I got home Reid was waiting to ask me if he could borrow some money, he wants to buy a Flip HD video camera at Wal-mart for $160. I asked him how long it would take for him to pay me back and that I'd have to charge him interest.

He went "what's interest"? So I explained it to him. He agreed to $10 interest. He originally asked for $75 and then I had to educate him on what taxes are. So he realized he had to borrow more money to pay for the taxes. He also learnt about collateral and that if he didn't pay me back I'd have to reposse his waterbed. Lol. I love torturing him. Then I told him he'd have to create and sign a loan agreement. So he agreed to all the conditions and prepared the paperwork and we both signed it. He then put it on the side of the fridge.

I could sit at the kitchen table all night doing homework with him, trying to explain interest, taxes, contracts and collateral and he'd have a "deer in the headlights" look and I'd repeat myself over and over until my head hurt. But when he really wants something, it's amazing how quick he can pick up concepts on the first go around. I don't think he'll ever forget about interest, taxes, loan agreements or collateral. I know he'll pay me back, he's solid that way, although it would be fun making him sleep on the floor for a while.

Speed Bike - 1:03:28 / 32.31 km / 30.5 kph / 127 avg hr

I attached a video from Reid's new Camera. Pretty good quality.