success

Cold As Ice

Posted on by Josef Havelka

The last day of skating began with a warm up. As Theory hit the ice, the Star Wars theme was being played, followed by Highway to the Danger Zone. It was a great soundtrack to get him pumped!

He skated so well this weekend. All five of his races he achieved personal bests. One race he shaved off 3.5 seconds! His goal was only half a second- it may not seem like much, but that is huge in the growth of speed skating!

Even though he kept beating his own times, he was unable to qualify for next weekend’s competition. However, the coach for Calgary speed skating has invited him to come out this week for practices. This is a great opportunity for our son to get a bit more ice time before we head home. It also helps that he is showing so much growth that other coaches are wanting to get to know him.

As a celebration for all of his accomplishments, we joined some other skaters, parents and the travel coach for some milkshakes. These were the best shakes I have ever had! (Peter’s Drive-In if you are in Alberta) Kind of odd to enjoy a milkshake outdoors in -8°C weather, but it was a fun way to wrap up the competition!

Traveling Family Members

Posted on by Josef Havelka

As my wife Lee-Anne enjoyed DisneyLand yesterday, our youngest had flown into Calgary on Thursday for a speed skating competition this weekend.

Theory is taking part in the Western Elite Circuit at the Calgary Olympic Oval. He had four individual races today and dominated every single one in his division. He came in first and also beat his previous times garnering personal bests.

Theory is staying with other members of our club since he is only sixteen years old. The club’s coach also flew out and is offering advice and tips all weekend. I’m glad that she is there to coach them. It’s good to have someone there who knows the strengths and weaknesses of the skaters.

I’m really proud of his results and determination to constantly improve. His drive is creating individualized success. after his Sunday competition, he will be immediately flying back home. He has a few more competitions before the end of the season in March and I hope that he continues to improve. Cheering from another province is always difficult. But I do it anyways.

Go Theory! You’re killing it this weekend!

Always Dreaming Big For Our Kids

Posted on by Josef Havelka

Today our 15 year old son is at one of the only Speed Skating competitions that hasn’t been canceled due to Covid. It is hard to have a goal with his practicing and exercising when the competitions get cancelled. I’m hoping for the best results in his races- obviously.

Seeing team Canada’s first medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics go to Isabelle Weidemann with a Bronze medal is inspirational today. It’s not just the athlete out there doing their best. It’s the coaches, families and the support group behind the skater that also helps.

Coaching on the sidelines today at my son’s meet is his older sister and two successful Olympic Speed Skaters turned coaches (who also got married)- Julian Green and Eden Donatelli. Darwin has been getting groomed by Julian over the past year or so on how to be a coach. We are lucky to have the medal winning Olympic duo training our kids.

On race day, our son is focused and determined. He is good at the endurance of 1200/1500 meter races. The shorter ones with a quick sprint is not his forte, but he has had a few successes depending on who else he is racing.

In the end, I want to see him succeed. His first race of the day he was holding second place, then overtook his competitor in the last lap and earned first. I am also able to use each loss as a learning point on how to improve next time. I always tell him that no matter what, if he’s giving his all- that’s all we can ask. Some days the times are with him. Hopefully today is a good day working towards those loftier goals.

Go Speed Skaters! Go Team Canada! Go Theory!

Moving The Goal Post

Posted on by Josef Havelka

I’d like to think that everyone sets goals and does their best to achieve them. Sometimes along the way the goal might change or the route to get there will alter slightly. You know what? That’s okay.

In the end you get where you’re going. Savoring the accomplishments is tough to remember to do. Reflection is also required once in a while. We may forget that we had a goal and it can come and go- and we don’t notice how hard we worked towards it.

Goals can be big or small. They can be health related or career oriented. You can have more than one goal at a time, and achieve more than one at a time as well.

Sometimes we think we want a goal but it’s not the right goal so we abandon it. That’s fine as well. For years I wanted to write a novel, instead I have been blogging about my life and thoughts every day since January 2016. They say “write what you know.” I know about me.

So check on your goals. Readjust as needed. Set some new goals. Achieve and fail, but learn along the way. Be the best you that you can be.

GOAL!

Success In Music

Posted on by Josef Havelka

I have always been a huge supporter of the arts. My personal favorites are visual arts, performing arts and music. Over the years I have watched and supported numerous friends as they venture forth exploring their talents.

Years ago, I supported a few friends from high school on their endeavors into music. Garage bands were popular and the talent was endless. Many a nightclub and studio jam session was had. I was a roadie to many bands.

A couple of my friends are still actively making music. They performed together under numerous names. Seal Bomber, Porn on Beta, Identity Crisis, and now as Nakatomi Freefall. Even as they encroach on their late 40’s- I’m glad they are still being creative.

The biggest success was a fellow named Dallas Smith. He turned towards country music and has garnered a larger following than he had when he and friends were in the band Default. I do recall enjoying their performances at the local nightclubs and was happy to hear that they got signed.

As I speak about former friends and pop culture success, it is exciting for me to have my children now support their friends as high school draws to an end.

Most recently a success story is Brooklyn Wood. She is one of my daughter’s closest friends. A recent article talks about Brooklyn: 2021 Music. This Saturday her piece will be performed at the Vancouver Playhouse. Brooklyn is extremely devoted to violin and practices religiously. Her talents aren’t just natural, but awe inspiring when you see her play. As a fan of classical and composition styles, I’m excited to watch this young lady as her career will take off.

I will always support the arts. Talent and hard work can pay off for those who seek success. Get out there and make good art! I’ll be cheering you on!

Peaceful Easy Feeling

Posted on by Josef Havelka

Back to work after vacation doesn’t mean that enjoying summer is over. I’ve been coming home the last couple of evenings feeling grateful for what I have.

Having a positive outlook on life is important to having positive things happen for you. Luck is also a huge role in everything that happens. We are lucky to live in this part of the world. Clean water, good education, and plenty of opportunities for success.

Finding success can create happiness. At some point though you really need to step back and admire what you have accomplished.

Vibing with a peaceful easy feeling is what my summer is all about. Come on in. The water’s fine.

From Fails to Finished

Posted on by Josef Havelka

Yesterday I set up a workspace for the 3D Printer I received the other day. Actually, my wife allowed me to use a small corner of her studio where she makes her wonderful hats. Check out her website- Ningen Headwear for some great winter hats!

I spent a good couple of hours leveling the bed, installing software on our computer, and getting a couple of designs ready to print. The first test design was a thank you to my wife for use of her space. She had made some face masks and wanted one of these to try out. It was technically “Headwear” related- Surgical Mask Strap. I figured it was an easy print and wouldn’t take very long.

Boy was I wrong.

After about half a dozen failed attempts just starting, I eventually got a print that was not at all what it was meant to be. It was missing some layers. Back to the Internet and YouTube to figure out my issue. Turns out I hadn’t set the proper parameters for my brand of printer.

A couple tweaks and we had a successful first print! Followed by two more successes! I could really get addicted to this feeling of accomplishment. But now I am out of my spool of plastic. Time to wait for the Amazon order to arrive. During that time, I plan on getting some more files downloaded and ready to print.

I see how this could become a love/hate relationship with a 3D printer.

Successful Staycation

Posted on by Josef Havelka

It’s back to work for the night shift this week. I’d have to say though, my staycation with a to-do list was more than successful. Here’s what I had planned:

  1. Finish my costume.
  2. Fix the tile and tap in shower.
  3. Fix the sauna heater.
  4. Get the Honda Element serviced.
  5. Decorate for Halloween.
  6. Do some baking on Saturday.
  7. Make turkey dinner on Sunday
  • Numbers 1,4,5,6 & 7 were completed. Number 2 is almost done- I just need to buy a small amount of grout and seal it and my shower will be useable once more. Number 3 I am still avoiding. Don’t judge me…

    • However I did end up doing a few other projects that weren’t on my initial list.

    1. I installed a new stovetop.
    2. I painted the trim between the sunroom and the living room.
    3. I helped my son build his costume.
    4. I was involved in speed skating more.
  • Overall I think I was fairly productive with my time off. Now to get back into the work routine and utilize my days off as rest days once more. I just hope I remember how to do my job…

    • Success is Sure

    Posted on by Josef Havelka

    I’m a fan of Mark Twain. He is the sort of person I wish to be one day. Or at least what I imagined him being: An old guy sitting in a rocking chair on a porch spewing out wisdoms. With big hair and killer fashion sense. The sort of man that most ignored while alive, but seek out the wisdom once departed.

    Recently I misquoted Mark Twain. I wrote, “To succeed in life, you need two things: Ignorance and confidence.” Which is a close variance on his original quote as seen in the image above.

    In many ways I am on a road to success with my writing. I am confident in my ability to write. And completely ignorant to the fact that not everything I write is worth reading. But I still manage to write. It’s just a matter of figuring out how I wish to measure my success. Is it monetary? More followers? Comments?

    I’ll probably never know if I’m successful because the game keeps changing.

    Unfinished Works… Is That A Failure?

    Posted on by Josef Havelka

    Well it finally happened.  I thought I had finished writing a blog post, when in actuality it ended abruptly.  And I shared it.


    I could go back and finish it. (I swear it was done!)  Then re-share it.  But in its failure, I find truth.  I’m not always going to hit the mark.  Perhaps yesterday’s blog post, Totes Inappropes, really wasn’t meant to be finished.  I can learn from my experience of knowing that I screwed up. Now it’s out in the world.  Chances are you didn’t read it.  Chances are no one will read it. That’s what I keep telling myself in order to get past my little oopsie.


    People who follow me, know that I’m back again day after day trying to write something of value.  Sharing tidbits about what goes on in my life and mind.  Nothing’s important, everything matters. Sure it does.  It matters to me.  I’m the one trying to get thoughts out.  That’s important to me. I have created a daily writing goal that I hope will manifest into something much more grandiose.  


    I didn’t fail yesterday.  At least not in the fact that my blog post wasn’t done.  Perhaps I failed in the content and subconsciously I sabotaged myself. In the end, I probably won’t even go back to re-read it.  Every few months I journey back to my previous posts.  Some I enjoy how they flow or tell a story. Sometimes I enjoy the comedic undertones I somehow successfully snuck in.  Some blog posts I skim over and think about how I could improve it.  Maybe make a “Special Edition” of one of the more successful ones like what Lucas tried with Star Wars.

    But in the end, I’m taking a shot at writing.  I haven’t discovered the best technique or idea to focus on. Should I focus on family? Maybe conventions? Perhaps my work? I don’t know where my best writing lies. But I will find that niche and exploit the shit out of it if it makes me money!… 

    I meant- makes me happy.

    Success

    Posted on by Josef Havelka

    I’m not successful in many aspects of my life.  I’m not a financial mogul or have zero debt.  I’m not well travelled.  I don’t consider myself to be holding a career.  I don’t really know how to measure success either.  Perhaps success doesn’t need to be measured by numbers.

    I have a job that pays me quite well.  It provides me with enough money to live contentedly.  I have a house with some property in a market that is out of control these days.  I have a wife of fifteen years who cares about me.  I have three children, all of whom are fantastic and generally happy.  I also have friends.  Friends who have been there for me throughout the years.  

    I am on a new journey lately of writing out my opinions and memories.  I’m doing this as a way to share a more in-depth look into who I am with my friends.  So, I began to blog.  I write about 500 words/day to keep it an easy read.  Maybe I’ll make money off my writing, or maybe I won’t.  No big deal.  

    As most of you know, sharing on Facebook can be difficult.  So, I made a page this past Wednesday devoted to the greatest man in my life-me.  To my astonishment, within two days, nearly one hundred of my friends chose to follow and like it.  I’m thinking some of you enjoy reading my thoughts, some of you just click “like” to shut me up, and some a bit of both.  Also, if you like my writing, by all means share with your friends my little Facebook page (shameless self promotion Saturday).

     

    “Without obsession, life is nothing.” -John Waters

     
    Like most people, I decided to look myself up online (I do believe this is called ego-surfing) to see if people could find my page, as well as to see what was out there.  Apparently, I’m not the only Josef Havelka who lives in the social media land.  Most other “Josefs” live in European countries.  One is a photographer/artist.  Most of the others are just regular guys.  I’m impressed that my name drew a few hits in return.

    I’m going to leave you with a quote from  a Josef Havelka:

    “Either sit at home in the corner, cry over… what you screwed up and throw it on the other mistakes… Or start doing something, get up and fight, then you can say, I did… that’s why everything…”

    It’s poorly translated, but hey, it gets right to the point.  Sort of.