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A magic number.

July 25, 2008 • 7:28 pm 0

RapidMind’s Amazing Race

A short week after the Medicalis Amazing Race, RapidMind did something similar in Elora. The Amazing Elora Race is run by a One Axe Pursuits, and does corporate team-building events around the town of Elora and the Elora Gorge. We were split into six teams, and had to race around the area collecting clues, solving puzzles, and going through some physical challenges: we ran, climbed and rappelled, and at once point I ended up on a zip line across the gorge!

Fantastic event, and thanks to a couple of teammates who insisted on running the whole time, our team won! The beer afterwards might have been the best part. Full photos here.

Filed under: Work

July 23, 2008 • 5:01 pm 0

The Medicalis Amazing Race 2008

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 was the annual Medicalis picnic. We had a wonderful afternoon at Chicopee in an “Amazing Race” event. Here are a few photos.

Filed under: Work

February 13, 2008 • 4:45 pm 0

How to scare your coworkers

Carry a long canvas bag into work, slung over your shoulder. When asked, tell then it’s just your “weapons”. Yeah, that’s exactly the look I got

After the aikido seminar a couple of weeks ago, and the chance to use some higher quality weapons, I’m looking at buying some new aikido weapons (specifically, a new jo, or short staff). It sounds simple right? Then you start looking around and realize how much of an art this is to many people, and how important the details can be: type of wood, how it’s shaped, exact measurements down to the 1/4 inch. It can be quite daunting.

Mike came across this site, which specializes in hand-cut weapons made from hickory. Japanese oak is popular for its durability (that’s what my current weapons are made of), but hickory is supposed to be durable and slightly malleable; if you warp it, you can straighten it again. Now the question is: which jo to purchase? Standard grade are probably fine, although I’m tempted by the hand-cut jo, with inscribing. At ~$179 USD though, I’ll probably stick with the cheaper weapons!

Filed under: Aikido, Work