It had all lead up to this one particular moment. It was August 12, 1990. I was standing on the edge, ready to jump.

I had been thinking of moving to Texas for years. Somehow, it had wedged it’s way into my consciousness. The fascination started with an exploration of Austin music in the early ‘80s. After graduating from Queen’s University, I took a week to hang out in Austin to experience it and explore the great state of Texas. I flew back to Canada thinking that this might be a great place to live.

I realized that as a physiotherapist, I could work in just about any place I desired. The decision would be just as much about quality of life as it would be about my career. With that in mind, on May 20, 1989 I went on a two week fact-finding mission to Austin.

Now, 442 days later, it had become a reality. I had jumped all the hoops, packed up my things, and I was ready to go.

Now all I had to do was hop on that train and ride. Yes, you heard correctly: a train.

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The ‘60s have always been a fascinating era in history for me. It was a time of social and political upheaval, of discovery, and of pushing the envelope of our collective thinking. A man on the moon within a decade. Civil rights. War protests. Woodstock. Philosophically, this era has always made sense to me – for countless reasons. Music was inherently tied in to “the message”. Music became a powerful connector of people and of social causes.

One of the icons of the era would have to be Neil Young. I have always had an immense appreciation for Young. I can thank my father for first exposing me to Young’s musical brilliance. I came to Young’s music primarily through albums like “Rust Never Sleeps” (1979). It was the raw guitar edge that was so stunning to me. The sounds that he could pull out of “Old Black” defined the word “grunge” before that phrase ever became popular.

But Young’s music (and guitar playing) is just a part of this equation.

As a lyricist and songwriter, Young will most certainly be considered one of the greats of our era. Over the past 4 decades, he has continued to meld strong social lyrics with a fearlessness to say what needs to be said – about love, and about war. And he has been his own man in the process, marching to the beat of his own drum.

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It was the first world record in track and field at the London Olympics. The time was 1:40.91. The event? The final of the men’s 800 meters. The performance surpassed a record that had stood since 1997. The man to do it? David Rudisha of Kenya.

All of the attention may have been on Usain Bolt in the 200 meters that day, but a few important points were lost in the mix. David Rudisha has been defeated just once in the past 46 races at this distance. He also has the three fastest 800 meter times of all time, and six of the top 8.

So what made this performance so special? I would suggest that one quote sums it up quite nicely: “I was well-prepared and I had no doubt about winning”.

Rudisha provided us with a fine case study in sport psychology.

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This episode of the Ruminations was originally intended to be the first video episode. Yes, I have decided to forge ahead into the world of video blogging in the hopes that perhaps my sharp sense of humor will unfold even more brilliantly in front of the camera – or not. As you might expect, I say this with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Unfortunately, life can at times get in the way of video production, so perhaps Episode 21 will be the first. I am sure that unbridled excitement will prevail across the blogosphere in anticipation of this epic event.

In the meantime, the Ruminations must go on: drugs and debt and a little war thrown in on the side.

1. In years past, if someone had pulled a superhuman effort in the Tour de France, the accusations would fly. These efforts are usually chalked up to drug use and are now “guilty until proven innocent”. That is the sad state of affairs that is public opinion these days, especially when it comes to cycling.

This year, French cyclist Thomas Voeckler rode like a man possessed. He held the yellow jersey far longer than most had expected. But strangely enough, nobody ever seemed to mention the potential for drug use. Perhaps the court of public opinion has shifted, but perhaps it is even more elemental than that.

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