You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man.

I think I've been using my razor blade since last July (barring the week we were in Winnipeg where I used my dad's). What's this about? Follow the bread crumbs!

Sooo, a couple of things. I was pleasantly surprised at how funny Gingy (the gingerbread man) was in the Shrek movies. Very funny. Very satisfying. Couldn't ever justify seeing any of that franchise in the theaters. Seeing Shrek the Third (in the theatre), in fact, was the subject of animated discussion between my wife and I prior to our subsequent courtship. I'm certain it was my adamant refusal that planted the seeds of love. So principled.

Anyway, my topic, and I do have one, is running.

My wife and I are non-competitive distance runners. So we do the miles but we ain't breaking any records. We still want to squeeze every last mile out our shoes.

Two ways to save over the long haul with running shoes.

1) Don't be fooled by mild wear on the sole. Just because you see some wear does not mean you have to replace the shoe. Not a big deal. If it's really rainy or icy out, you probably shouldn't be going too quickly anywhere . . . which brings to mind one of my personal chestnuts, "If you're going too fast to control yourself, you're probably going too fast." I think it's true walking, running, driving, or in relationships.

-Sole wear is natural and you don't need to replace your shoes at the first sign of it.

2)Secondly, think about the way you run. Are you a heel striker? Are you a fore foot striker? There are schools of thought that suggest modern running shoe technology has not been good for the mechanics of running. I'm inclined to agree. Instead of running on the balls of our feet, as we're inclined in bare feet or in the shoes you see in old marathon pictures, we have these cushiony heels. These are great for walking but not as necessary or useful for running. If you think of your knee and your ankle as shock absorbers they diffuse the shock of the impact that runs up your leg with each foot strike. If you land on the heel, the impact has one less joint to diffuse through. However, if you land and take off from the forefoot, you're using both the ankle and the knee to absorb shock thereby taking some of the load off of the shoe, which is why you bought the expensive cushioning show in the first place. Anyway, don't answer now, just think about it.

-If you let your body cushion your stride when running, you don't have to spend so much extra money doing it artificially.

If you're thinking of changing anything about the way you run, do it slowly.

Run to the hills.

Everybody neat and pretty? Then on with the show! (with regards to the original Mickey Mouse Club)

Want to save money in the shaving department.

Here are a couple of tips.

Shave every day. Wha? Shouldn't that shorten the life of your razor? My personal experience is that it is easier to remove a day's growth, then multiple days (or, of course, weeks).

Use less shaving cream. Ration. Whether cream or gel, be diligent about spreading the dab on your hands all over your face. When you think you need to put more in your hands, STOP! Try to spread the existing lather over that beautiful canvas of yours.

Home sharpening. I've seen many suggestions on extending the life of your razor. What works for me, in addition to rationing shaving gel and regular shaving, is sharpening the current blade in my safety razor on my arm. If you've used a straight razor or seen one used, you'll see they sharpen those bad boys on a leather strap. Much akin to this, when my blade is dull, I run the razor backwards up my arm (if it's removing your arm hair, YOU'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY). About a dozen firm strokes should dislodge any hair in the blades and do a decent job of cleaning and sharpening them. I've used the same blade for months.

And I guess if you don't have to (LUCKY), don't shave. That'll work too.

Toodle-oo and cheers

Google Shopperson; the Shoppingest Guy in Shoptown

There are so many tasks where using the internet or computer (or BBS!?) used to seem like such a strange idea. We can all think of things we never thought we'd use a computer for that we use it for now.

Shopping online?

It had been the stuff of speculation for decades. Heck, Amazon has been online since 1995. Now it's, well, it's pretty dang common. Which sorting and aggregating option do we like when it comes to online shopping?

Would you believe it's a google tool. Type in your item at Google Shopping and you can sort by price, stipulate if you want to go to the brick and mortar building with "in stock nearby", if you want the search to only return results with free shipping, price range, and more.

Here's a recent search I made where you can tool around and get an idea of your search options.

Handle with care.

on getting fit ...

When you are trying to develop a habit, I have heard and read relentlessly, the most important thing you can do is make the time to do it. The word is it takes 3 weeks of consistent practice to incorporate a new habit into your life. Everybody has varying degrees of free time or some amount upon which they might be able to piggy back things.

So once you've carved out the time, what do you do?

Keep it simple, stupid.

You have enough on your plate without having to become an expert on fitness. You are likely an expert on something (I hope it is useful and it pays well) and there are already plenty of fitness experts.

We wanted something we could do, that we didn't have to design or join something for and, believe it or not, our answer came in an 8 dollar fitness cd.

We've done it 4 or 5 times since we got it two weeks ago. There are 3 different levels of exertion (I'm confident in focusing on the lowest for a few more weeks) and each is only 20 minutes. I really used to think this kind of thing was lame, but I also used to play outside a lot more.

But, most of all get out there. It brings to mind a story my wife told me. She said a friend of hers challenged her to do one complete pushup, all the way down and all the way up. If you don't know how that story ends, try doing one complete pushup. Bet you did two. Because, I mean, since you're down there.

So how about this. Walk 5 minutes from your house and then walk back. The CBC World Report is 10 minutes long. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? I bet you might even walk for 11 minutes. If you want me to find a podcast for you, msg me in the comments.

Do you have any Grey Groupon AKA clipping for the modern age

With the popularization of the internet over the last fifteen years a lot of the different ideas and tools we use in meatspace have had to make their digital transition. The biggest of the last couple of days is this guy.

We all remember our folks clipping and using coupons for different things at the store. And coupons were just one more thing subject to the transitions of this new medium.

I can recall different emails offering savings before but one of the most interesting trends in coupon-like savings have been those deal-of-the-day sites. And the easiest to recall, to my mind is Groupon.

Here's how it works. You set up an account indicating your city (at the very least), you'll be sent an email and once you click the associated link, your account is active. Each day you are sent an email with a deal for your area. The deal is available if enough people buy it, otherwise you are charged nothing. I can't remember a deal not 'tipping' (meaning one that didn't activate on account of not enough interest). Like I said, when you fancy one of the daily deals, buy it, print a copy (or use a compatible mobile device) and take it to the business in questions to receive your deal.

We've had our teeth cleaned, got massages, went to the Ripley's museum ... all for way less than retail.

See if there's a Groupon in your area ... NOW

Oil, you startled me. Man, those floors are shiny. What's your secret?

Looks who's here. It's vegetable oil! Wow, I didn't know you were coming over.

Besides being a crucial ingredient in my grandmother's amazing rice casserole (nostalgia and loyalty aside; hands down the best rice casserole I've ever had the chance to enjoy. perhaps I will share it here one day), vegetable oil can also be used as a cheap natural hardwood floor polish.

As an aside, isn't it strange that hardwood floors took a little break from being in vogue. Well, they're BACK! With a vengeance. Anyone see Bruce Willis in Red? I digress.

All you have to do is mix it in a 1:1 ratio with vinegar, put it in a spray bottle and voila! That's french.

Spray on floor and wipe with a damp cloth. Leave to sit for a short time if floor is particularly scuffed.

We've found vinegar for 1.69 here.

And vegetable oil is probably cheaper there than the $7.99/gallon I saw at Meijer.

Even with those prices, to make a pint of wood polish in a spray bottle:

1 cup of vinegar - .11
1 cup of vegetable oil - .50

That's 61 cents.

You're welcome.

Keep fit and have fun ...

Now, if you're Canadian and reading this, you probably remember the title expression from Canadian fitness stalwarts Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod and their BodyBreak series of tv interstitials beckoning us north of 49ers to get physical even as far back as the eighties. Interestingly, they're still going strong. I'd put a lot of the blame on their health and fitness regimen.

The late great Jack Lalanne said, "Fitness is king, nutrition is queen, put them together and you have a kingdom." Good advice, sir.

If you've never instituted a habit of exercise, it is never too late to start. Anything is more than nothing . . . even a walk around the block. But the important thing is consistency.

Do you need a place to go to solely exercise? Sometimes helps. Live in a small apartment? I'd put money on that if you're in NY.

For those of us in NY who want a place to go exercise, swim, play pick up sports, I can think of no better place than the NYC system of recreation centers.

For adults, it only costs $75 a year to work out and enjoy any city rec center in the 5 boros.

If you're thinking of joining a gym, consider that your gym might cost $75/month (not uncommon in this city) so you'd be alright to pay the year's fee at the rec center and try it out for a month to see if it fits your schedule. If that's not enough, the rec centers are free on the first Monday of every month and they won't bat an eyelash if you want to look around your local one.

Classes more your style? Shape Up NYC offers free classes throughout the city.

NYCe work, my city!!!

No excuse folks. Dismissed. Be careful out there.