Dumb Luck vs Dumbness

Thursday, 31 July 2014

Today I rode 50k without really meaning to.

I'm in Melbourne for a few days, staying at my friends' Jo and Matt's place because Clare is packing up her apartment and moving to Russia where she will be taking on the principal dancer/skater's role in the production 'Moulin Rouge on Ice' . Good for her - we always knew she'd make it.

So it goes without saying that when you stay with someone who lets you use all their things, you really need to try not to do stuff like crash their car, allow their bike to be stolen or let their kitten run away.   Let's keep this in mind as I tell the story of my day today.

Keen to continue my ice hockey career whilst I had the opportunity in Melbourne, I took Jo's lovely commuter bike, edged it past the kitten who was itching to get out the door and be squashed by a tram,  and rode down to the Icehouse ice rink at the Docklands (5.5kms), where I did  90 minutes of solid skating. The rink was largely empty except for a busload of 20 teenagers (some of them wearing gorilla suits, such that when they fell, they left furry patches on the ice), and some intellectually and physically disabled people being pushed around in wheelchairs. Whilst these obstacles sound significant, they weren't really and I almost felt like I was back in Norway when I used to train by myself day after day until I could mix it with the rest of my ice-hockey team..  

 

Anyway - just as I arrived at the Icehouse, the aforementioned busload of teenagers rolled up - so I was keen to hurry myself through the door and get skates so I  didn't have to wait forever in the queue.  But in the process of locking the bike up, or going inside, or paying or getting skates  I must have dropped one of my gloves as once I'd got my skates on, I couldn't find it in my bag. Rather than de-skate myself I decided to look for it later.  Thus I not only had cold hands as I skated but I also had  nagging concerns that I wasn't going to be able to find it later.  However when I was returning my skates at the end I asked the lady behind the counter if she'd seen my glove and whilst she said "No" one of the other guys who works there - who'd just turned up that second, said that yes he had seen it, and he'd put it aside for me (so I would never have found it myself!). So I got it back -Yay! - so in the battle of Dumb Luck v Dumbness, it was 1 - 1.   

After this I jumped back on Jo's bike and rode on the lovely Yarra bike path around to Ikea (12.5kms). As I rode I noticed  that my legs were actually pretty tired from all the skating so I was happy to go inside and have a break and some lunch in the Ikea cafe ($5.87 - bargain!).  As I locked up the bike to go inside, I dropped a dollar coin on the ground. I thought to myself 'I'll get that in a second after I've gotten my stuff sorted out' but of course I forgot about it and left it on the ground.

An hour or so later, I returned to the bike and there was that dollar! Amazing - as you can imagine the pedestrian entrance to Ikea is a busy place so I was pretty surprised it wasn't gone. 

So I picked up the dollar (Dumb Luck vs Dumbness 2 -2) , unlocked the bike and headed home to Jo's place - continuing on the long way around (11kms) -  despite my tiredness as it's so much nicer and there's no traffic.

 

I was so happy to finally make it back home  - as I rifled through my bag for the house keys all I could think about was having a bath and then a rest. But I couldn't find the keys!  - The same set of  keys I had unlocked the bike with back at Ikea. 

I searched every corner of my bag for 15 minutes before deciding that my only option was to ride back to Ikea to check the bike racking area. I took the short route (6k) - through heavy traffic,  tonnes of traffic lights and very dodgy bike lanes - and as I rode I just felt awful. The chances of finding the keys were between Buckley's and none, and my next step was going to have to be declaring to Jo that I'd lost her keys, and  probably riding down to her partner Matt's work in South Melbourne to get his keys (I wasn't sure which was going to be the worse of those activities).  And I was already very tired, AND no doubt there were probably keys in that set which couldn't be replaced.  What a disaster - and all because I was dumb for the third time in one day.  


As I weaved through the cars I did consider that if I did actually get hit by a car (looking likely given the state of the road), then perhaps Jo would just assume that the keys were lost as part of the terrible accident and she'd never realise what a key losing fool I was.  And she'd just be sooo happy that I was alive (at least I hope I was alive) that she might not even mind that her bike was also smashed to bits.   

However fate clearly thought I should have to deal with my self induced problems myself, and I arrived back at Ikea safely,  probably 20 minutes after leaving Jo's place and at least 75 minutes since I'd left Ikea the first time.. And in the third and most amazing incidence of dumb luck for the day, I saw this..

 


Yep, lying right next to the bike racking area was the keys. Thank goodness!
 
Amazing.  So I grabbed those keys and had a little sit down on a nearby seat to reflect upon my a) dumbness and b) dumb luck and c) how tired my legs were.   I also decided to ride back to Jo's the long but nice way again - as I couldn't face the traffic no matter how my legs felt. 

11kms later and I was home. Having ridden 45k and skated for 90 minutes. You can bet I enjoyed that bath !  After recovering  I rode down to Clare's to supervise her packing, which probably pushed me over that 50k mark - not bad for someone who hasn't ridden in months!

Oh - and in all my comings and goings from Jo's place I managed not to let the kitten escape to its doom on Nicholson street (I bet you are surprised about that). Don't breathe easy yet though, there's always tomorrow.. 

2014summary
The Nook Wednesday, 31 December 2014
Fluted Cape Wednesday, 31 December 2014
Kicking goals together Wednesday, 31 December 2014
Back in the dentist's chair.. Thursday, 25 December 2014
How I became an Importer Tuesday, 23 December 2014
meanwhile.. Tuesday, 23 December 2014
Last nights reindeer crime Tuesday, 23 December 2014
my cuties Monday, 22 December 2014
it's a dodgy neighbourhood Saturday, 20 December 2014
My Weekend Monday, 15 December 2014
Invites Sunday, 14 December 2014
Bruny Island Ultra Sunday, 7 December 2014
We're not even yet Ferry. Saturday, 6 December 2014
Adventure! Monday, 1 December 2014
From bad to worse.. and then better Monday, 1 December 2014
What Lurks Beneath.. Monday, 24 November 2014
Eight-ish years of the Huon Show Saturday, 15 November 2014
Sprung! Saturday, 15 November 2014
secret projects Saturday, 15 November 2014
Triple Tops - Part 3 Monday, 10 November 2014
Triple Tops - Part 2 Monday, 10 November 2014
Triple Tops - Part 1 Sunday, 9 November 2014
Nonsensical Friday, 7 November 2014
Friday Cutefest Friday, 7 November 2014
Experience the Unexpected Friday, 31 October 2014
Julie's final challenge.. Sunday, 26 October 2014
Panoramas Saturday, 25 October 2014
So..you go away for a bit and... Friday, 24 October 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #18 Friday, 24 October 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #17 Thursday, 23 October 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #16 Thursday, 23 October 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #15 Wednesday, 22 October 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #14 Wednesday, 22 October 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walks #11,12 & 13 Wednesday, 22 October 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #10 Wednesday, 22 October 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #9 Wednesday, 22 October 2014
quick update Tuesday, 21 October 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #8 Monday, 13 October 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #7 Sunday, 12 October 2014
Two more things Sunday, 12 October 2014
Adventures with Jett Part 2 Friday, 10 October 2014
Adventures with Jett Wednesday, 8 October 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #6 Wednesday, 8 October 2014
Bridport Day 5 Friday, 3 October 2014
Bridport Day 4 - Part 2 Friday, 3 October 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #5 Friday, 3 October 2014
Bridport Day 4 - Part 1 Friday, 3 October 2014
Bridport Day 3 Wednesday, 1 October 2014
Bridport Day 2 Wednesday, 1 October 2014
Bridport Tuesday, 30 September 2014
Perfect Timing Saturday, 27 September 2014
Just like a bought one.. Tuesday, 23 September 2014
Zali's ripper day Saturday, 13 September 2014
Random Stuff Saturday, 6 September 2014
Cake by Numbers Thursday, 4 September 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #4 Wednesday, 3 September 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #3 Wednesday, 3 September 2014
Sunday Screen Time Sunday, 31 August 2014
Jett is almost 9 Saturday, 30 August 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #2 Friday, 29 August 2014
Hats for Homeless Friday, 29 August 2014
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #1 Saturday, 23 August 2014
60 Walks - Intro Saturday, 23 August 2014
Smoke and mirrors Thursday, 21 August 2014
Winter Weekend on Maria Island Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Little Project #2 Wednesday, 13 August 2014
Little Project #1 Wednesday, 13 August 2014
Kickstarting myself. Wednesday, 13 August 2014
More Light Painting! Friday, 8 August 2014
7 Visits in 7 Days: Day 7 Friday, 8 August 2014
7 Visits in 7 Days: Day 6 Thursday, 7 August 2014
More Light Painting Wednesday, 6 August 2014
7 Visits in 7 Days: Day 5 Wednesday, 6 August 2014
7 Visits in 7 Days: Day 4 Tuesday, 5 August 2014
Story Time Tuesday, 5 August 2014
7 Visits in 7 Days: Day 3 Monday, 4 August 2014
Sydney 2000 Sunday, 3 August 2014
7 Visits in 7 Days: Day 2 Sunday, 3 August 2014
7 Visits in 7 Days: Day 1 Saturday, 2 August 2014
Dumb Luck vs Dumbness Thursday, 31 July 2014
Not the Best Ever Friday, 25 July 2014
7 Projects in 7 Days: Epilogue Monday, 21 July 2014
7 Projects in 7 Days: Bonus Project #2 Monday, 21 July 2014
7 Projects in 7 Days: Day #7 Monday, 21 July 2014
7 Projects in 7 Days: Failed Project Monday, 21 July 2014
7 Projects in 7 Days: Bonus Project Sunday, 20 July 2014
7 Projects in 7 Days: Day #6 Sunday, 20 July 2014
7 Projects in 7 Days: Day #4 Sunday, 20 July 2014
7 Projects in 7 Days: Day #5 Saturday, 19 July 2014
7 Projects in 7 Days: Day #3 Thursday, 17 July 2014
7 Projects in 7 Days: Day #2 Wednesday, 16 July 2014
7 Projects in 7 Days: Day #1 Tuesday, 15 July 2014
Challenge Week Clause 1.4a Tuesday, 15 July 2014
All dressed up and nowhere to go Sunday, 13 July 2014
7 Projects in 7 Days: Prologue Sunday, 13 July 2014
7 runs in 7 days - Epilogue Friday, 11 July 2014
7 runs in 7 days - Day #7 Thursday, 10 July 2014
7 runs in 7 days - Day #6 Wednesday, 9 July 2014
7 runs in 7 days - Day #5 Tuesday, 8 July 2014
7 runs in 7 days - Day #4 Monday, 7 July 2014
7 runs in 7 days - Day #3 Sunday, 6 July 2014
Stockpiling Gear Saturday, 5 July 2014
7 runs in 7 days - Day #2 Saturday, 5 July 2014
7 runs in 7 days - Day #1 Friday, 4 July 2014
7 runs in 7 days - Prologue Friday, 4 July 2014
Maclaren Vale Thursday, 3 July 2014
Photo Purge Thursday, 3 July 2014
Dark Hofo Part II Monday, 30 June 2014
Tour guides.. Monday, 30 June 2014
Chapel Hill Retreat Sunday, 29 June 2014
touchdowns.. Thursday, 26 June 2014
Dark Hofo Sunday, 22 June 2014
on a hat-trick. Saturday, 21 June 2014
Choosey Sunday, 8 June 2014
Long Weekend.. Sunday, 8 June 2014
neglect Wednesday, 4 June 2014
Glass Monday, 2 June 2014
Souvenirs Saturday, 31 May 2014
Birthday Presents Friday, 30 May 2014
Brrr Friday, 30 May 2014
I'm here! Tuesday, 27 May 2014
Before and After #29 Thursday, 15 May 2014
Way home.. Thursday, 15 May 2014
Just one last thing... Sunday, 11 May 2014
Holiday Quiz Saturday, 10 May 2014
Last Day on the Mainland Saturday, 10 May 2014
Tathra MTB Friday, 9 May 2014
Tathra Friday, 9 May 2014
Perfect Solution Friday, 9 May 2014
Canberra Wednesday, 7 May 2014
Spit Bridge to Manly Walk Sunday, 4 May 2014
Convict 100 Sunday, 4 May 2014
Elizabeth Bay Sunday, 4 May 2014
Bondi to Bronte Friday, 2 May 2014
Back in Sydney.. Thursday, 1 May 2014
Reptile Park Thursday, 1 May 2014
Lacing up Thursday, 1 May 2014
Glenworth Valley.. Thursday, 1 May 2014
Maitland Bay Thursday, 1 May 2014
Tweet Thursday, 1 May 2014
Running with shadows Thursday, 1 May 2014
Back in action Monday, 28 April 2014
Day off Monday, 28 April 2014
Forster and Myall Lakes Sunday, 27 April 2014
Wet n Wild Sydney Sunday, 27 April 2014
Blue Mountains Bushwalk - Day 2 Friday, 25 April 2014
And why library books shouldn't go camping.. Friday, 25 April 2014
Blue Mountains Bushwalk - Day 1 Friday, 25 April 2014
Easter Orienteering.. Thursday, 24 April 2014
Cowboy Attire.. Thursday, 24 April 2014
Gold! Thursday, 24 April 2014
Adult Supervision Required Thursday, 24 April 2014
..dancing down those dirty and dusty trails.. Thursday, 24 April 2014
Late nights, early mornings Friday, 11 April 2014
Swirly Roses Sunday, 30 March 2014
What to wear.. Sunday, 30 March 2014
The opposite of relaxing.. Friday, 28 March 2014
Cake! Friday, 21 March 2014
Minnamurra Wednesday, 19 March 2014
HBA -> ADL Monday, 17 March 2014
NSW.. really? Sunday, 16 March 2014
Pine Valley Bushwalk Part 3 Friday, 14 March 2014
Pine Valley Bushwalk Part 2 Wednesday, 12 March 2014
Pine Valley Bushwalk Part I Tuesday, 11 March 2014
Just Quickly.. Monday, 10 March 2014
it's not you, it's me. and my sport Part III Thursday, 6 March 2014
it's not you, it's me. and my sport Part II (b) Thursday, 6 March 2014
It's not you, it's me. and my sport Part II Wednesday, 5 March 2014
it's not you, it's me. and my sport, Part I Tuesday, 4 March 2014
New Letterbox Monday, 24 February 2014
How to improve the Winter Olympics Saturday, 22 February 2014
Book Blind Date Friday, 21 February 2014
Soggy Sydney Monday, 17 February 2014
I let myself down, I let my family down & I let my school down.. Thursday, 13 February 2014
Horses! Saturday, 8 February 2014
Blind Dates Saturday, 8 February 2014
Heavy Schedules and Small Details Friday, 7 February 2014
I dare you Monday, 3 February 2014
Wildside Wrap Sunday, 2 February 2014
Blog Maintenance! Saturday, 1 February 2014
Wildside Day 4 (plus 1) Friday, 31 January 2014
Wildside Day 4 Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Wildside Day 3 Monday, 27 January 2014
Wildside Day 2 Sunday, 26 January 2014
Wildside Day 1 Saturday, 25 January 2014
Wildside Day (minus) 1 Friday, 24 January 2014
Wildside Day (minus) 2 Friday, 24 January 2014
Painting Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Paddling Boot Camp Saturday, 11 January 2014
Special Talents Sunday, 5 January 2014
Portholes Saturday, 4 January 2014
Quiet Week Saturday, 4 January 2014
2014 - Doing different stuff Wednesday, 1 January 2014
K.I. Day 3 Saturday, 28 December 2013
K.I. Day 2 Friday, 27 December 2013
K.I. Friday, 27 December 2013
Belair National Park Wednesday, 25 December 2013
Special Talents Monday, 23 December 2013
The K2K Sunday, 22 December 2013
Takeaway Sunday, 22 December 2013
Morning Paddle Wednesday, 18 December 2013
Before and After #28 Wednesday, 18 December 2013
Milestones Sunday, 15 December 2013
Run-Sheet Sunday, 15 December 2013
Gingerbread Houses Sunday, 15 December 2013
It must be December.. Sunday, 1 December 2013
Not at all the plan..not even a bit Sunday, 24 November 2013
in other news.. Thursday, 21 November 2013
Winners are grinners! Saturday, 16 November 2013
Before & after #28 Friday, 15 November 2013
Triple Tops Mark IV Sunday, 10 November 2013
Lake Rosebery Paddle Sunday, 10 November 2013
Tullah Challenge Saturday, 9 November 2013
Assumptions Friday, 8 November 2013
Halloween Orienteering Sunday, 27 October 2013
Chocolate Saturday, 26 October 2013
Fine and Windy, with a chance of Sulkiness Saturday, 26 October 2013
Archives.. Friday, 25 October 2013
Freycinet Challenge - Part 3 Friday, 25 October 2013
In safe hands Friday, 25 October 2013
Freycinet Challenge - Part 2 Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Freycinet Challenge Part I Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Dogs and Babies Saturday, 19 October 2013
Mt Amos Sculpture Trail Friday, 11 October 2013
Contrasts Thursday, 10 October 2013
Walking Machines Wednesday, 9 October 2013
Fishing Wednesday, 9 October 2013
Mt Graham Wednesday, 9 October 2013
Restraint Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Overnight Hike Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Harrowing Journeys Part #4 Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Harrowing Journeys Part #3 Monday, 7 October 2013
Harrowing Journeys Part #2 Monday, 7 October 2013
Harrowing Journeys - Part I Sunday, 6 October 2013
McComb Swimming Carnival Wednesday, 2 October 2013
Fishy Update #3 Wednesday, 2 October 2013
Lift Lounging Wednesday, 2 October 2013
not so much riding Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Sensational Sydney Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Fishy Update #2 Tuesday, 17 September 2013
It's Back! Saturday, 7 September 2013
one of these things.. Saturday, 7 September 2013
Piñata Update Saturday, 31 August 2013
Fishy Update #1 Saturday, 31 August 2013
Home-Made Friday, 30 August 2013
We should have gotten meerkats Friday, 30 August 2013
Rainbows and Puppydogs Monday, 26 August 2013
Redbanks Sunday, 25 August 2013
Soccer Season Saturday, 24 August 2013
Bookweek.. Friday, 23 August 2013
Jon in the Winter Challenge Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Well this is quaint.. Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Winter Challenge 2013 Sunday, 18 August 2013
Preparation. Saturday, 17 August 2013
Proclamation Day Saturday, 17 August 2013
Inevitabilities Sunday, 11 August 2013
Saturday Afternoons Saturday, 10 August 2013
Sunrises Saturday, 10 August 2013
Re-surfacing.. Saturday, 10 August 2013
look! Saturday, 10 August 2013
Magic Melbourne Thursday, 1 August 2013
Sunday Paddle Sunday, 21 July 2013
Saturday Paddle Saturday, 20 July 2013
The novelty is over Saturday, 20 July 2013
Happy Birthday Me! Sunday, 14 July 2013
and in other news.. Saturday, 13 July 2013
Egg Island Circumnavigation Saturday, 13 July 2013
The Icebreaker Part IIIIII - wrap up Tuesday, 9 July 2013
The Icebreaker Part IIIII Tuesday, 9 July 2013
The Icebreaker Part IIII Monday, 8 July 2013
The Icebreaker Part III Monday, 8 July 2013
The Icebreaker Part II Monday, 8 July 2013
The Icebreaker Part I Sunday, 7 July 2013
Nerves Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Frosty Toes Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Going Up Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Aurora Chasing Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Monster Cake Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Dark Mofo Wednesday, 26 June 2013
Mona Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Working in Miniature Sunday, 16 June 2013
Wheels.. Friday, 14 June 2013
Aurora Chasing Saturday, 8 June 2013
Tas Sprint Champs Saturday, 8 June 2013
Beautiful Bicheno Saturday, 8 June 2013
Saturdays Friday, 7 June 2013
Soccer Buddies Friday, 7 June 2013
Utensil Update III Friday, 7 June 2013
Doing the Hard Yards Friday, 7 June 2013
Small Change Sunday, 26 May 2013
Sunday Morning Paddle Sunday, 26 May 2013
Work Friday, 24 May 2013
Not great value Friday, 24 May 2013
Today was not a good day for Mr Fish.. Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Utensil Update II Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Utensil Update Friday, 17 May 2013
Having fun with the children.. Thursday, 16 May 2013
Mini Cupcakes Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Ye Olde Hobart Sunday, 12 May 2013
Dog People Sunday, 12 May 2013
Early Mornings Sunday, 12 May 2013
North West Bay Sunday, 5 May 2013
Tip Trip Sunday, 5 May 2013
Sculpture Trail Friday, 26 April 2013
New Bike Monday, 22 April 2013
Wombat 100 Part 3 Wednesday, 17 April 2013
Wombat 100 Part 2 Monday, 15 April 2013
Wombat 100 Part 1 Monday, 15 April 2013
Disco Zali Sunday, 14 April 2013
Spirit of Tasmania Saturday, 6 April 2013
Last Day.. Saturday, 6 April 2013
Mt Buller Summit Friday, 5 April 2013
What we're not doing this winter.. Friday, 5 April 2013
Jon's Ride Friday, 5 April 2013
you win some, you lose some, and then you get sick.. Friday, 5 April 2013
You win some, you lose some Friday, 5 April 2013
Luna Park Friday, 5 April 2013
Metropolitan Meerkats Friday, 5 April 2013
Bendigo and surrounds Monday, 1 April 2013
Cape Huay and the Three Capes Project Monday, 25 March 2013
Tarn Shelf Walk Sunday, 24 March 2013
Canberra Sunday, 24 March 2013
Capital Punishment 50k Monday, 18 March 2013
The Best Bike Bag Ever Friday, 15 March 2013
Lovely Kids Saturday, 9 March 2013
Beach Shadows Saturday, 9 March 2013
The best leg Monday, 4 March 2013
Summer Survival Monday, 4 March 2013
Sunday Night Dinner Monday, 4 March 2013
Bruny Island Paddling Weekend Sunday, 24 February 2013
Cuteness Friday, 22 February 2013
For Dr Evil Thursday, 21 February 2013
Almost Perfect Thursday, 21 February 2013
Lucky lucky lucky Thursday, 21 February 2013
Complaints Thursday, 21 February 2013
My thoughts exactly! Thursday, 14 February 2013
Lunchtime Ride Thursday, 14 February 2013
Our new pet Sunday, 10 February 2013
Modern Family Sunday, 10 February 2013
Blue Dragon Part 2 Sunday, 10 February 2013
The Blue Dragon Part 1 Saturday, 9 February 2013
Wardrobe! Thursday, 31 January 2013
Mad Monday Monday, 28 January 2013
Jetty Beach, Bruny Island Sunday, 27 January 2013
Thursday night paddling group Sunday, 27 January 2013
News Flash Thursday, 24 January 2013
Sunday Paddle Sunday, 20 January 2013
I have perfect eyebrows. Thursday, 17 January 2013
Little Adventures Sunday, 13 January 2013
Maria Island Friday, 11 January 2013
Face painting Friday, 11 January 2013
before & after #27 Friday, 11 January 2013
bang for your buck Monday, 7 January 2013
Surfing at Maria Island Sunday, 6 January 2013
Slide of Doom Sunday, 6 January 2013
Picture Perfect Sunday, 6 January 2013