We did it!

For the second year in a row, my friends and I tackled The Ride to Conquer Cancer, a 2-day cycling journey from Toronto to Niagara Falls.

We were each required to raise $2500 for cutting-edge cancer research and care at The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world. Most of my teammates have reached or exceeded that amount. And I'm close, but I could use your help in getting there! I have a few more weeks to collect some final donations to boost me up to $2500. (Check out the badge below this post to see how far I've gotten and to donate!)
 
Let me tell you about our weekend:

On Day 1, we assembled at the Exhibition Place near Toronto's lakefront. After some inspiring speeches, fresh breakfast, and the chaos of almost 5,000 cyclist in a single parking lot, we clipped in and took off! As the weather called for rain, we opted for the 200km option (versus the 200 miles we did last year in the cold rain). Fortunately, we lucked out with the weather and our biggest obstacles were the defiant hills leading into Hamilton. We capped off the day with a barbecue with our friends at Hammer City Cycle (hammercitycycle.com) who generously donated all the proceeds to us riders!

Day 2 was partly sunny and the route was much flatter. My friends decided this was the time to put their high-end road bikes to the speed test. I tried my very best to keep up, and was able to stay with them until the final 10 kilometers. Nearing Niagara falls, I could hear the roaring of the falls and the cheering of thousands of friends and family who came to cheer us on across the finish line. It was an honour to once again participate in this awesome event. As a group, we raised a record-breaking $17.5 million for (or should I say 'against"?) cancer. I hope to collect my final couple hundred dollars over the next few weeks...

...and then it's all eyes on 2012!

Many, many thanks for your generosity and support,
Beth

Did I forget to blog about the Hangover, Part 2? I bet it was because any interest in it evaporated out my mind before I'd even left the theatre.

Don't get me wrong: it's a funny movie. I love Ed Helms (as Stu the dentist, also known as Andy from The Office) who takes a bigger role in this one. It's now his wedding on the line.

You see, two years have passed since the debacle in Las Vegas, and Stu has met the lady of his (boring) dreams. "The Wolfpack", Phil, Stu, Doug, and yes, Alan, fly to Thailand for Stu's wedding. He's not taking any chances this time, and refuses to let his friends plan a bachelor party, instead insisting on a single round of beer around a beachside campfire. What could possibly go wrong?

Fast forward through exactly the same hijinks as in the first movie, only this time they are in Bangkok.

Thank goodness Ken Jeong (until recently, a real-life medical doctor) makes a hilarious return as the high-pitched, fast-living Mr. Chow. And Zach Galafianakis is great as the deadpan weirdo, Alan, who just barely gets himself invited. 

I enjoyed myself watching this movie, but wanted nothing to do with it as soon as it was over. I'd love to keep seeing more from these actors, but not in Hangover 3.