I missed a run yesterday due to an appointment. It has come around to that time of year where I have every annual appointment you can possibly think of. I am sure this is something that only the older, more aged people, like myself, could possibly understand. I know I certainly didn't have a multitude of various doctors I had to see every year when I was younger. Now it seems there is a long, laundry list of them. No wonder older people are always talking about their ailments. It occupies so much of their time once a year that, for some, it must just carry over into the rest of the year. Or maybe they have spread out their exams over the year and don't try to get them all done at once like me so they are constantly talking about it.
So in true old age form I'll let you know I have already had my dental exam, along with my cleanings. He wants me to come back and have two wisdom teeth filled. Yes, for some reason the very young dentist was amazed that I had all my teeth. I guess most people my age don't. And yes, every dentists wants to hold a conversation while they are inside your mouth and he kept suggesting I read The Hunger Games. He had just started one and couldn't put it down! I refrained from telling him it was a teen book when I realized how close he was in age to be interested in it. Quite an age difference from me, anyway. He must have been much closer to his teens which would explain his excitement over the book.
I had a test done yesterday that will go the doctor I will see next week. I got a notice in the mail for another test that I won't go to get. They told me I didn't have to go for five years and it's been only three. I still have to make an appointment for those fillings and it's been three years since I saw my eye doctor. The blood bank called and would like me to donate.
And this is all for my health! I would just rather go out and run.
TT
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Hedge removal
It seems we keep finding things to cut down around the house lately. Our annual (or is it every six months) brush pick up is tomorrow. They left a notice hanging on our door at least a week and a half ago to let us know to put any brush that needs to be disposed of on the curb Monday morning. We knew and had talked about cutting down one line of a hedge in front of our house. It blocked our front entrance and we haven't been able to figure out any other way to open up that area. With the brush pick-up it made perfect sense to get this done. Or it would have seemed to make perfect sense if the temperatures hadn't been somewhere around 107 degrees. But we started out.
You can see the hedge was pretty scraggly.
So after some cutting and dragging branches away we made an effort to remove most of the hedge. We definitely need to finish this job up a little better but the heat (and this was about noontime) was too much. At least here you can see how it opened up the area.
I don't think anyone might have known there was a sidewalk area behind that hedge. Well, we did, of course, but you certainly couldn't see it before. With a little more fine tuning I think it will look so much better. Oh, and if you were curious about my upstairs space. Yep, it's right up above...those two windows on the second floor. That is where I work and look out and where I am when I do this. When I do this...not when I am cutting down hedges.
TT
You can see the hedge was pretty scraggly.
I don't think anyone might have known there was a sidewalk area behind that hedge. Well, we did, of course, but you certainly couldn't see it before. With a little more fine tuning I think it will look so much better. Oh, and if you were curious about my upstairs space. Yep, it's right up above...those two windows on the second floor. That is where I work and look out and where I am when I do this. When I do this...not when I am cutting down hedges.
TT
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Shoe, shoe...shoes?
I know I need a new pair of running shoes. No way around it. I knew it was coming up but I tried to ignore it as long as I could. Let's face it. They are pricey but I'm not afraid to spend the bucks on them. It's just that lately I would rather pay off my car (no, the shoes aren't that expense) and I've been funneling money down that tube instead. But it has become more and more obvious that I can't wait much longer to replace my running shoes and I will need to go out and spend the money. I thought, at first, I would just put my priceless Brooks Launch aside - Ahhh..my silver and blue sleek little feet protectors. I don't wanna put them aside but with more than 600 miles on them and although the outside treads are holding up, I have obliterated any comfort, protection, and cushion they might have had a while back. I know. I can feel it when I run.
I decided to try and save the money a little longer and go back and use my Karhu, fulcrum technology running shoes instead. They don't have anywhere close to the amount of miles on them. I moved my velcro RoadID and nike+ sensor tune pouch into the laces. I put the gray and orange shoes on and went for my run outdoors this morning. I realized after the run why I had put them aside to begin with and went out and bought my pretty little Brooks. Somehow the fulcrum technology does nothing for my right foot. My toes were going numb and I remembered the heel pains from last year. Besides, they look like bricks on my feet. (I know - I don't buy running shoes because of color. Obviously, or I wouldn't have bought the Karhu's)!
So, I will probably go back to my Brooks for a while. At least until I get myself down to the store and get a new pair (I should hurry, right)? I'm sure they will offer me an assortment of the newest and best in all there is to offer now. I mean, these are the most important pieces of equipment I use for my sport, right? My running shoes. Without them I would have no place for my ID and sensor. I've been known to tie my keys to the laces, too. If I could figure out a way to put my cell phone on them I'd do that but for now my nice running belt holds the phone and my iPod and my keys. I should pick up a new belt that holds a water flask when I go to get my new shoes. Yeah...good idea! I might need to go much sooner than later. Shopping might not be such a bad idea. Why was I was putting this off?
Oh, car...right.
I'm pretty sure I can do both. It's not like the money won't get spent somewhere. It always does. And I need these new shoes. Although, it's a different need from the shoes Jay thought I should have and have been banging around in this afternoon...
I decided to try and save the money a little longer and go back and use my Karhu, fulcrum technology running shoes instead. They don't have anywhere close to the amount of miles on them. I moved my velcro RoadID and nike+ sensor tune pouch into the laces. I put the gray and orange shoes on and went for my run outdoors this morning. I realized after the run why I had put them aside to begin with and went out and bought my pretty little Brooks. Somehow the fulcrum technology does nothing for my right foot. My toes were going numb and I remembered the heel pains from last year. Besides, they look like bricks on my feet. (I know - I don't buy running shoes because of color. Obviously, or I wouldn't have bought the Karhu's)!
Oh, car...right.
I'm pretty sure I can do both. It's not like the money won't get spent somewhere. It always does. And I need these new shoes. Although, it's a different need from the shoes Jay thought I should have and have been banging around in this afternoon...
I sure can't run in these!
TT
Friday, August 26, 2011
Made the cut
Yesterday my younger son, Dante (26), found out he would be keeping his job of two years. Like many companies across the nation his company was also going through a period of downsizing and re-evaluating the costs and efficiencies of doing business. Many, it not all of us, have been affected in some way or have gone through this in the recent past. It isn't something that is out of the blue or rare in this current day and age. There are more people that have experienced this than not. It doesn't make it any easier to have a nationwide support group than can commiserate about it. It doesn't help when you are working in the very same branch office as the CEO and watch him being fired and leave. It doesn't help when you are told you need to interview for jobs at your place of employment and there aren't enough postings to go around. It doesn't even help when you are finally told you got the position and have to watch during the day as others you have worked with cry and pack their desks. It doesn't help.
But you get up and go on. Whichever side of the desk you land on, even if it's no desk at all, you go on. It makes you think, it helps you improve, and it can change the way you do things.
Dante let me know he was told they wanted to keep him. It was good news.
TT
But you get up and go on. Whichever side of the desk you land on, even if it's no desk at all, you go on. It makes you think, it helps you improve, and it can change the way you do things.
Dante let me know he was told they wanted to keep him. It was good news.
TT
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Rest day
It's funny now that I have completed my 21 days of consecutive workouts how I am still heading to the gym after work. It has now gotten to be the norm for me to do that. I will shut down my laptop, stow it in the car and drive the short ride to the gym. I am no longer sore or tired or pressured and I am definitely not feeling lazy. I did happen to take today off and it certainly felt a little odd not to be following what has become my regular routine. But it was needed and part of re-figuring out this entire way of doing this is to find the balance. I could have gone but I needed to stop this one day to get refreshed so I can go on to the next. It was a matter of keeping alert to my own signs and warnings and knowing I could work out today but fizzle out later when I will need the extra get up and go. I opted for the rest day today. I plan on going tomorrow, the day after, and then I will have arrived at the weekend where I will be able to get my runs outside. That's the real treat of it all!
It was odd driving home today instead of going to the gym. But, I am feeling a little more refreshed already. Besides, it gave me time to finish book #5 of the current series I am reading and start up #6. Now THAT is refreshing!
TT
It was odd driving home today instead of going to the gym. But, I am feeling a little more refreshed already. Besides, it gave me time to finish book #5 of the current series I am reading and start up #6. Now THAT is refreshing!
TT
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Early bird
I got up super early this morning. My early is earlier than most so my super early is almost ridiculous to others. It seems crazy sometimes because I do not have trouble sleeping. I am just an early riser. So I was awake by 4:10 am this morning. Yes. On a Tuesday morning, on a regular work day. I got up. I thought I might go ahead and have an early morning run. Somehow between the time I got up and made coffee I decided I wasn't going to head out in the pitch dark. I was really looking forward to running outside but the concerns expressed by a few clouded my decision this morning. I have been running outdoors as much as I can lately but because of the still constant heat in the afternoons I haven't been able to as much as I would like. I have had to leave it for the mornings on weekends only instead. All other weekdays I have gone to the gym and used the artificial gerbil in-a-wheel method. You know sometimes it feels like that...the treadmill, of course. But it is serving it's purpose if not with a lot of panache. How about none - no panache.
This weekend while running outdoors I was able to see a glorious sky and feel a slight breeze. I saw a small brown rabbit scurry away into a wooded area of an empty lot surrounded by the rest of the neighborhood. I actually saw a penny on the sidewalk (heads up)! I had a great run. Yesterday on the treadmill I had a pretty good run, too. But there were big differences. I got to stare out unto the asphalt parking lot. I got to watch as a few people came and went, entering and leaving the gym. I got to concentrate on the reflection of the sun on the windshield of a car. It gets old quickly and I find myself lifting the towel I throw over the numbers displaying how little distance I've gone in what seems like an interminable amount of time. But you take the good with the bad. Right now, it's just about finding a balance I can live with and I've been doing well despite the moaning and whining.
So early bird this morning or not...I will get another run in this afternoon. At the gym. It's not so bad. I can live with it for now. And besides, it was more than nice to have all this extra time this morning!
TT
This weekend while running outdoors I was able to see a glorious sky and feel a slight breeze. I saw a small brown rabbit scurry away into a wooded area of an empty lot surrounded by the rest of the neighborhood. I actually saw a penny on the sidewalk (heads up)! I had a great run. Yesterday on the treadmill I had a pretty good run, too. But there were big differences. I got to stare out unto the asphalt parking lot. I got to watch as a few people came and went, entering and leaving the gym. I got to concentrate on the reflection of the sun on the windshield of a car. It gets old quickly and I find myself lifting the towel I throw over the numbers displaying how little distance I've gone in what seems like an interminable amount of time. But you take the good with the bad. Right now, it's just about finding a balance I can live with and I've been doing well despite the moaning and whining.
So early bird this morning or not...I will get another run in this afternoon. At the gym. It's not so bad. I can live with it for now. And besides, it was more than nice to have all this extra time this morning!
TT
Monday, August 22, 2011
Great run
The sun was perched just above the top of the line of trees in the distance like a large shining bird. The clouds standing by it's side seemed to be conversing nicely while keeping it company. It painted a scene I wouldn't normally have had an opportunity to see if I hadn't been at that place, at that time. As I drew nearer the scene, the trees were now to my left and the large sun-bird had sprung into flight directly in front of me. The clouds moved aside and gave it room. I squinted as I gazed at it and looking down again blinked spots of light out of my eyes.
I heard the voice in my earplug..."One mile completed"...and I knew. This was going to be a great run.
TT
I heard the voice in my earplug..."One mile completed"...and I knew. This was going to be a great run.
TT
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Take a break
Saturday evening Jay came home about 7:00pm after closing the shop to find me hunched close to his PC downstairs with binders of reports and bank information strewn close by. "Are you still working?" were the first words out of his mouth that drew my attention away from the bank balance I had almost finished reconciling. "What time is it?" was my reply after pulling my gaze away from the computer screen filled with columns of numbers and darted searchingly for the wall clock.
It was later than I thought. I had spent the majority of the entire afternoon doing bookkeeping. I purposely retreated to data taken from here and put there. This amount decreased from this category to increase the other. Debits and credits, expense codes, sales figures, taxes and insurance. All with a number that placed them here instead of there and would create a report to show how it all added up. Just numbers. That was all I had to deal with. It was doing the creating and I think that was why I retreated to it. I needed to give myself a break and the hours that I spent working on balancing numbers allowed me just that. I didn't have to be creative or think of working it this way or would another be better. I just needed to deal with finding that $58.64 because it was there somewhere and my only task was to find it and not figure out it's motive or spin an imaginary scenario about why I used it in the wrong place.
The bookkeeping was great therapy to work out another part of my brain. I needed to give the other side of it a rest and I got a lot of work done that I had put off. So, its a win win situation.
And now? To heck with the brain! I need to do something about my aching back from sitting in that hunched position so long!
TT
It was later than I thought. I had spent the majority of the entire afternoon doing bookkeeping. I purposely retreated to data taken from here and put there. This amount decreased from this category to increase the other. Debits and credits, expense codes, sales figures, taxes and insurance. All with a number that placed them here instead of there and would create a report to show how it all added up. Just numbers. That was all I had to deal with. It was doing the creating and I think that was why I retreated to it. I needed to give myself a break and the hours that I spent working on balancing numbers allowed me just that. I didn't have to be creative or think of working it this way or would another be better. I just needed to deal with finding that $58.64 because it was there somewhere and my only task was to find it and not figure out it's motive or spin an imaginary scenario about why I used it in the wrong place.
The bookkeeping was great therapy to work out another part of my brain. I needed to give the other side of it a rest and I got a lot of work done that I had put off. So, its a win win situation.
And now? To heck with the brain! I need to do something about my aching back from sitting in that hunched position so long!
TT
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
21 days!!!
On July 28th this year I decided to do something about my lazy idleness. I knew I had to do something about my coming home directly after work and grazing through snack foods until it was time for dinner and me to eat again. It had been weeks since I had done any physical activity and I knew I needed to start back at it again. I decided I would try to change my bad habits by using the 21 days idea. I simply decided I would work-out for a minimun of 30 minutes for the next 21 days. I would fill the time I was using after work to go the gym instead of directly home. I figured this would take me away from the problem time/environment and give me something more productive to do. I hadn't thought how hard it would be to actually work-out for 21 consecutive days.
I have to say, it wasn't that easy. I had to talk myself out of not going more than a few days. It was only the second day and 10 minutes before leaving work I was thinking of why I didn't want to go to the gym. After only two days! I knew I couldn't give up that soon. How ridiculous?! A week later I was getting into the groove. I would automatically head my car in the direction of the gym and run a few miles once there. Things were going well. Then came some days where my muscles started to get sore and I was getting tired. I still went. I walked two days instead of running. I kept going and made it to the half way point and more. This weekend I ran outdoors instead of heading to the gym which was great. This past Monday I almost thought I was going to miss out. It wasn't until 7:30pm that I was able to get myself to the gym but I made it. Tuesday afternoon I had to go the dentist but I still went and ran 4 miles. Then today...today I finished off a total of 21 days.
I completed 21 consecutive days of working out a minimum of 30 minutes each day. I have ran a total of 76.59 miles in 21 days which averages 3.65 miles a day. I dropped 2.8 lbs. That's a lot of junk food! So here I am after working out every single day this month and four of the last days of July! What do I do now?
I was thinking I might take a day off or maybe two. But then...tomorrow is only Thursday so I am thinking I might just do a nice easy walk. You know, to stretch out my sore muscles. I mean really, 21-22 days? What difference could a day make?
TT
I have to say, it wasn't that easy. I had to talk myself out of not going more than a few days. It was only the second day and 10 minutes before leaving work I was thinking of why I didn't want to go to the gym. After only two days! I knew I couldn't give up that soon. How ridiculous?! A week later I was getting into the groove. I would automatically head my car in the direction of the gym and run a few miles once there. Things were going well. Then came some days where my muscles started to get sore and I was getting tired. I still went. I walked two days instead of running. I kept going and made it to the half way point and more. This weekend I ran outdoors instead of heading to the gym which was great. This past Monday I almost thought I was going to miss out. It wasn't until 7:30pm that I was able to get myself to the gym but I made it. Tuesday afternoon I had to go the dentist but I still went and ran 4 miles. Then today...today I finished off a total of 21 days.
I completed 21 consecutive days of working out a minimum of 30 minutes each day. I have ran a total of 76.59 miles in 21 days which averages 3.65 miles a day. I dropped 2.8 lbs. That's a lot of junk food! So here I am after working out every single day this month and four of the last days of July! What do I do now?
I was thinking I might take a day off or maybe two. But then...tomorrow is only Thursday so I am thinking I might just do a nice easy walk. You know, to stretch out my sore muscles. I mean really, 21-22 days? What difference could a day make?
TT
Busy days
I am having my second cup of coffee this morning before going in to work. It is one of those mornings where I know I have a ton of things to get done but I would rather sit here a little longer instead of rushing off. It's that odd feeling of wanting to take it a little slower and that urgency that is pushing up against me to get going. It's when I go on that autopilot that seems to always register can't slow down or it won't get done type of mode. But that switch isn't supposed to be flipped on all the time. It shouldn't be on before I get there. I should be able to sit and at least drink my second cup of coffee.
And yet it persists.
I've got a busy day today, along with the busy one I had yesterday. I guess I'll grab a coffee at work.
TT
And yet it persists.
I've got a busy day today, along with the busy one I had yesterday. I guess I'll grab a coffee at work.
TT
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Memory loss
The heat hasn't let up. We are still experiencing our 100+ degree days. We had rumours about some possible rain that I don't think anybody paid attention to. It didn't happen and no one said a word since they weren't expecting it anyway. It would have been nice. I was hoping it might but never put any stock into the fact that it would. Sounds cynical but that is just the way it is. Hot. But then it is the middle of August, remember?
And I hear school starts next week. I should have remembered that. I couldn't figure out the really congested traffic on Saturday but it makes sense now. Everyone was out and shopping for back-to-school. You think I would have noticed that in the ads everywhere. I hadn't even given it a thought since it had nothing to do with me, I guess. I had total blinders on about it and then couldn't figure out what had brought out the traffic when I decided to go out into it this past Saturday.
Maybe those are two things I should flag for myself next year. I need to make a note that school starts somewhere in mid-August and it will still be hot with no rain.
You would think as many times I have already lived through this time of year I wouldn't have a problem remembering those two things. Maybe it's just the heat. Right.
TT
And I hear school starts next week. I should have remembered that. I couldn't figure out the really congested traffic on Saturday but it makes sense now. Everyone was out and shopping for back-to-school. You think I would have noticed that in the ads everywhere. I hadn't even given it a thought since it had nothing to do with me, I guess. I had total blinders on about it and then couldn't figure out what had brought out the traffic when I decided to go out into it this past Saturday.
Maybe those are two things I should flag for myself next year. I need to make a note that school starts somewhere in mid-August and it will still be hot with no rain.
You would think as many times I have already lived through this time of year I wouldn't have a problem remembering those two things. Maybe it's just the heat. Right.
TT
Monday, August 15, 2011
New Food Network Star
If you haven't already watched the finale of the Next Food Network Star than keep reading at your own risk because I have to warn you of a spoiler alert. You might want to go and take a moment to see for yourself how the final competition and filming of their pilot shows turned out. We were left last week with three contestants battling it out for their own cooking show. This time next week the winner will have already aired their first show on Sunday at 11:30 EST. Will you be watching?
Although there were three contestants left only two made actual pilot shows. Vic, the tattooed-muscle man, that eventually threw out his Vic Vegas persona and took on the cooking point of view as mama's boy (because of the influence of her in his cooking) was eliminated. I think everyone saw that coming. He just wasn't up to the standard of the other two remaining contestants as far as camera skills. So relax, Vic. You can put your arms down at your sides now.
We were then left with Jeff, the self-proclaimed Sandwich King, and Susie, the energetic chef that puts her modern twists on Mexican cooking. Both had done well with the previous elimination challenge. They both made recipes that meant something to them personally and was able to bring us in to their family stories about them while still explaining techniques. That works. Food Network is all about making it personal and family. For me? I don't always need to hear all the extra chatter if they are leaving out key tips about preparing the food or add an ingredient without telling me what it is or how much. If you leave the cooking out to fill with family stories I can do better from just reading the recipe on-line, couldn't I? What would I need to watch the show for if the cooking parts aren't there? But, I digress.
Jeff took all his takes to get himself on track while filming his pilot. He finally got his nerves under control by thinking of how he was doing this for his family, putting a picture of his wife and son up on the fridge and actually made a very good showing. He had some good comments and fulfilled everything they had asked of him.
Susie had some trouble starting out also but again, like Jeff, (ah-television editing-keep the family theme going) came back on track by thinking of her family and fathers inspiration to go forward and film an excellent final cut of her pilot.
So then the pilots are complete, the two contestants are waiting on the judges comments and they have to field comments from their focus group which is actually all the eliminated contestants. This probably was just to add extra drama and to fill the hour. It was mild and the television audience didn't gain any insights from their comments on who might have taken the lead. There was no clear winner. Both seemed to have done well. So, it was unsure how it might have turned out. Jeff had carried his Sandwich King point of view from the very beginning. He had managed to use all the critiques the judges had given him and use them well to his advantage along the way. Susie had to be reminded of her roots but once she took the judges advice she couldn't have been clearer about her cooking point of view. She was honest, warm and always energetic. She also cooked from the soul and even the judges couldn't get around how captivating she could be.
The hour was up. They announced the winner.
The show airing for the first time next Sunday morning will be by the Newest Food Network Star. He will be making sandwiches and his name is Jeff Mauro.
And Susie Jimenez? I have no doubts. Just wait a week or two. I will bet if she isn't doing something on the Food Network itself, she will have a show on their sister station the Cooking Channel. Yes, just like all the other past non-winners of this show I have seen hosting their own shows there. What? Haven't you seen them? They are there...
TT
Although there were three contestants left only two made actual pilot shows. Vic, the tattooed-muscle man, that eventually threw out his Vic Vegas persona and took on the cooking point of view as mama's boy (because of the influence of her in his cooking) was eliminated. I think everyone saw that coming. He just wasn't up to the standard of the other two remaining contestants as far as camera skills. So relax, Vic. You can put your arms down at your sides now.
We were then left with Jeff, the self-proclaimed Sandwich King, and Susie, the energetic chef that puts her modern twists on Mexican cooking. Both had done well with the previous elimination challenge. They both made recipes that meant something to them personally and was able to bring us in to their family stories about them while still explaining techniques. That works. Food Network is all about making it personal and family. For me? I don't always need to hear all the extra chatter if they are leaving out key tips about preparing the food or add an ingredient without telling me what it is or how much. If you leave the cooking out to fill with family stories I can do better from just reading the recipe on-line, couldn't I? What would I need to watch the show for if the cooking parts aren't there? But, I digress.
Jeff took all his takes to get himself on track while filming his pilot. He finally got his nerves under control by thinking of how he was doing this for his family, putting a picture of his wife and son up on the fridge and actually made a very good showing. He had some good comments and fulfilled everything they had asked of him.
Susie had some trouble starting out also but again, like Jeff, (ah-television editing-keep the family theme going) came back on track by thinking of her family and fathers inspiration to go forward and film an excellent final cut of her pilot.
So then the pilots are complete, the two contestants are waiting on the judges comments and they have to field comments from their focus group which is actually all the eliminated contestants. This probably was just to add extra drama and to fill the hour. It was mild and the television audience didn't gain any insights from their comments on who might have taken the lead. There was no clear winner. Both seemed to have done well. So, it was unsure how it might have turned out. Jeff had carried his Sandwich King point of view from the very beginning. He had managed to use all the critiques the judges had given him and use them well to his advantage along the way. Susie had to be reminded of her roots but once she took the judges advice she couldn't have been clearer about her cooking point of view. She was honest, warm and always energetic. She also cooked from the soul and even the judges couldn't get around how captivating she could be.
The hour was up. They announced the winner.
The show airing for the first time next Sunday morning will be by the Newest Food Network Star. He will be making sandwiches and his name is Jeff Mauro.
And Susie Jimenez? I have no doubts. Just wait a week or two. I will bet if she isn't doing something on the Food Network itself, she will have a show on their sister station the Cooking Channel. Yes, just like all the other past non-winners of this show I have seen hosting their own shows there. What? Haven't you seen them? They are there...
TT
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Almost full 21 day habit gambit
This is my update on my 21 day habit gambit I decided to start at the end of July. You know, I decided to work out for 21 consecutive days for a minimum of 30 minutes each day? Well, I have now completed 17 days and have only 4 to go. I wouldn't have been saying only a few days ago. In fact, I was very, no, I was extremely close to calling it all off. I was very close. I was at the point that my muscles were sore and I was starting to consider the fact that I might be doing a little over training. My upper thighs were definitely sore. I had a pinched feeling at the top upper back of my right leg. I went to the gym anyway and decided I would get my 30 minute run done by taking the pace down. I was still feeling it the next day and the day after even as I slowed down the work-outs. I was so ready to stop completely the following day that I decided I was just going to get my 30 minutes done quickly and I amp'd up the pace and just got it over with. Guess what happened next. I wasn't so sore the next day. I was trying to explain this phenomenon to Jay over the phone on Friday. I was trying to figure out why the slowing down didn't seem to help while the picking up the pace worked fine. I wasn't sure if it had anything to do with my stride on the treadmill and if that had anything to do with it . He said, "Do you know what I think?"
Here it was. He was going to help me out by telling me his theory on the slow-faster pace dilemma. I quickly answered in anticipation, "What?" I truly wanted to know. Then he went on.
"I think you are insane. I think you are a lunatic."
I had to pause and grin into the phone. He wasn't being nasty or mean. He was just stating the facts as we both knew them to be true. I was over thinking and over analyzing again. He went on to say how I had a way of digging deep into my brain to find things to do to myself and then not just do them but to start pushing and competing with myself. He said I make up my own rules and then don't simply follow them like anyone else would but turn it into some sort of training competition with no one else except myself and then try to make it as hard as possible. I listened carefully and knew it was true. I do all those things. I don't mean to but maybe...
So, the honest truth, and I will stick with the facts. I have completed 17 days of a 21 day habit pursuit. I have worked out a minimum of at least 30 minutes on consecutive days and have 4 more days left to complete. I have ran a total of 61.20 miles in 17 days which is an average of 3.6 miles per day. I haven't come home and snacked but have kept my diet straight and have felt better even with the tired days and the don't think I can make it today days thrown in. I'm still at it. I'm still getting it done. It feels good. And somewhere in the middle of all this my nike+ sensor racked up this number.
And with all that being said, I really don't mind being a honestly insane lunatic. I wouldn't know how to be anything else.
TT
Here it was. He was going to help me out by telling me his theory on the slow-faster pace dilemma. I quickly answered in anticipation, "What?" I truly wanted to know. Then he went on.
"I think you are insane. I think you are a lunatic."
I had to pause and grin into the phone. He wasn't being nasty or mean. He was just stating the facts as we both knew them to be true. I was over thinking and over analyzing again. He went on to say how I had a way of digging deep into my brain to find things to do to myself and then not just do them but to start pushing and competing with myself. He said I make up my own rules and then don't simply follow them like anyone else would but turn it into some sort of training competition with no one else except myself and then try to make it as hard as possible. I listened carefully and knew it was true. I do all those things. I don't mean to but maybe...
So, the honest truth, and I will stick with the facts. I have completed 17 days of a 21 day habit pursuit. I have worked out a minimum of at least 30 minutes on consecutive days and have 4 more days left to complete. I have ran a total of 61.20 miles in 17 days which is an average of 3.6 miles per day. I haven't come home and snacked but have kept my diet straight and have felt better even with the tired days and the don't think I can make it today days thrown in. I'm still at it. I'm still getting it done. It feels good. And somewhere in the middle of all this my nike+ sensor racked up this number.
It doesn't have anything to do with the 21 day habit gambit except that it happen to fall during this time frame. Not a bad motivational tool, if I say so myself.
TT
Now I remember
I was on my way to an entirely different subject this morning when I did what I was starving for yesterday and spent a few moments reading other peoples pieces while checking my email and having my coffee. I was thinking it was just early enough to run outdoors instead of going to the gym if I didn't dawdle too long and waited until it was too hot. That was about the time I flipped over to a piece that lightly burrowed deep and reminded me of my Dad. A very pleasant thought to mull over while I ran outdoors for the first time in 16 days.
It was his birthday yesterday. He would have been 99. I'm grinning as I remember him taking his walks so long ago. He would do them right there in our old neighborhood where we all grew up. Is that why I'd rather run in my own neighborhood instead of the gym?
I'm not trying to get off the hook about writing something today but I wrote this piece about him and would rather you take a look at it instead. The link will keep you here in this blog but to an archived post...take a look at my Dad...Dad's link...it was his birthday yesterday.
TT
It was his birthday yesterday. He would have been 99. I'm grinning as I remember him taking his walks so long ago. He would do them right there in our old neighborhood where we all grew up. Is that why I'd rather run in my own neighborhood instead of the gym?
I'm not trying to get off the hook about writing something today but I wrote this piece about him and would rather you take a look at it instead. The link will keep you here in this blog but to an archived post...take a look at my Dad...Dad's link...it was his birthday yesterday.
TT
Friday, August 12, 2011
About what?
Did I mention that I have been starved for reading other people's work, lately? I have been silently wishing I could read more of what my peers or friends or just someone else that is putting words down to see how they form a thought, a paragraph, or ideas together. It would be nice to be able to see what they are coming up with. It's nice to sit here in solitude and put my own scribbles down in the safety of my workspace. I've learned a lot about how to put those thoughts and paragraphs together that way. I think I am just restless about my own words and feel I need to see what else is possible. I am equating reading someone else's writing with mine which might validate my own. Of course, it would be nice, after reading it to be able to have a conversation about the ideas and where it might have originated and how this led to that.
Why are some subjects a never-ending source of curiosity to me?
I found a random blog that I have been reading that I found interesting. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, there haven't been any posts since January this year. I have gone back and have been reading some of the older archives. How could I resist it when the line under her header read...at this point? who knows what the heck this blog is about, i certainly don't.
Boy, can I identify with that. Now, wait here a minute. Where have my thoughts gone off to this time?
TT
Why are some subjects a never-ending source of curiosity to me?
I found a random blog that I have been reading that I found interesting. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, there haven't been any posts since January this year. I have gone back and have been reading some of the older archives. How could I resist it when the line under her header read...at this point? who knows what the heck this blog is about, i certainly don't.
Boy, can I identify with that. Now, wait here a minute. Where have my thoughts gone off to this time?
TT
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Not about food
I'm sorry but I am still asking myself, "What!?!" Just out of curiosity I did a search here on my own blog entering "food" to see what would turn up in my posts. I've written more than a few entries about food and posted more than a few pictures of things I have prepared. I was just experimenting with how the search might work.
I'm not sure it did. Work. This is certainly an interesting little blurb I wrote but I am still trying to figure out what it has to do with food? I'll repost it here and maybe you can let me know...
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I'm not sure it did. Work. This is certainly an interesting little blurb I wrote but I am still trying to figure out what it has to do with food? I'll repost it here and maybe you can let me know...
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Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Daily call
You know about the daily check-in phone call with the person you share a household? Of course you do. You make a short call with no real reason because it’s what you always do. It’s that call when there might be a lull in your day and you want or need to fill it in with something that might take your mind away from the mundane. I don't think this is unique to me but everyone has that, yes, I'm busy at work, but what were you thinking about for dinner tonight, kind of conversation.
The hopes would be that it might turn more interesting.
I have these conversations with Jay. There is usually some talk of food for later, sometimes I touch base with some aspect of his business, and he makes sure I haven’t completely lost my mind while his back was turned. Well – I don’t know if he is actually checking up on that last item or not, but sometimes I get the impression he is just making sure.
He is always very concise. Jay doesn’t talk much. Lately when he has gotten to the end of these conversations and wants to hang up the phone he has started to say, “That’s all I have to report, Captain.”
It seemed slightly odd but I shrugged it off the first few times. It was a creative way of getting off the phone. I wasn’t sure where the Captain part came from, so the other day when he said it I tried to keep him on the phone and throw him off. The conversation for him had wound itself down and he said,
“That’s all I have to report, Captain.”
“When did I get demoted?”
“What, from Captain?”
“Yes.”
“What rank were you before?”
“Admiral”
“Oh, you’re in the Navy?”
“Well, isn’t that Captain?”
“It could be Army – a General.”
“Well, what uniform would I look better in?”
“Cheerleader.”
Gads. Why didn’t I just let him hang up when he wanted to?
TT
The hopes would be that it might turn more interesting.
I have these conversations with Jay. There is usually some talk of food for later, sometimes I touch base with some aspect of his business, and he makes sure I haven’t completely lost my mind while his back was turned. Well – I don’t know if he is actually checking up on that last item or not, but sometimes I get the impression he is just making sure.
He is always very concise. Jay doesn’t talk much. Lately when he has gotten to the end of these conversations and wants to hang up the phone he has started to say, “That’s all I have to report, Captain.”
It seemed slightly odd but I shrugged it off the first few times. It was a creative way of getting off the phone. I wasn’t sure where the Captain part came from, so the other day when he said it I tried to keep him on the phone and throw him off. The conversation for him had wound itself down and he said,
“That’s all I have to report, Captain.”
“When did I get demoted?”
“What, from Captain?”
“Yes.”
“What rank were you before?”
“Admiral”
“Oh, you’re in the Navy?”
“Well, isn’t that Captain?”
“It could be Army – a General.”
“Well, what uniform would I look better in?”
“Cheerleader.”
Gads. Why didn’t I just let him hang up when he wanted to?
TT
Susie, the Mexican Giada?
Let's talk food. Or let's talk Battle of who will be the Next Food Network Star. This series of shows has worked its way down to the finale next week where they will pick a winner. That person will be awarded a cooking show on the Food Network and there are only three contestants left. The selection will be from two male chefs and one female and an e-mail prompted me to post this with a title of Susie! Susie! Susie! who is the only female contestant left in the competition. She has managed to hold on throughout the series and she takes her hispanic upbringing into her food with a modern twist. She radiates a welcoming energy when she talks about making these recipes with her mother and grandmother in their kitchens growing up and, I think, she has a more honest approach than the other two contestants. I can see where she would could handle a good cooking show. The other two contestants, well, do they have enough to make a show? One is the self-proclaimed sandwich king and the other, well, he wants to call himself a mama's boy. Really? Have you seen this guy? I think it's just the only point of view he could come up with when his whole Vic Vegas persona fell flat. He's been fumbling with point of view and cooking since the beginning of the series. But then with the other male contestant...do I want to watch a show that is entirerly about sandwiches? He filled two out of three sandwiches on the last challenge with mayo. So what...I'll get a show with two sandwiches with mustard next time? So that circles us back to Susie and she isn't such a bad choice. This picture came along with the e-mail I received (from Selma!). Nice shot, I think.
It will be fun to watch the finale as it has been watching the series and narrowing it down to the last three contestants. We will see who actually walks away with a new cooking show next week. (Link to Food Nework site).
It was even better when I got a follow-up email from Sonny saying...She is the Mexican Giada!
And if you don't happen to watch the food network, Giada De Laurentiis is a big star on the food network with several Italian cooking shows to her credit so that statement says a lot.
It will be fun to watch the finale as it has been watching the series and narrowing it down to the last three contestants. We will see who actually walks away with a new cooking show next week. (Link to Food Nework site).I am still waiting for the next Top Chef to start. (Different Network). There have been rumors they have spotted the crews filming here in town! Now, wouldn't that be something to watch? More cooking...!
TT
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Miles!?!
I came home yesterday afternoon and found Jay in the kitchen. Sunday and Monday are his days off. I was hot and sweaty from the gym and I blurted out..."105!"
He looked at me with mock surprise and said, "Miles!?!"
"Nooo!" He was messing with me, of course. I was referring to the temperature outside not how many miles I had ran. He knew that, of course. "Do I look like I just ran 105 miles?" I should have known better.
He looked me over and nodded his head. "Well. Yes. But how many did you really run?"
"Nevermind," I said as I turned to leave.
"No, really, how many?"
"It doesn't sound so significant anymore, nevermind."
I wasn't really upset about it. Really. I walked away to shower smirking and shaking my head. I've done a fair share of miles again. I have been needing to build my base foundation again and I finally am starting to feel like I might be accomplishing that. I haven't done any long runs but I know the way I do things and building this base of shorter consecutive miles works better for me.
The temperature is supposed to be somewhere around the 100's again today. That, too, has been as consistent as my runs. I'm still working up to the numbers.
TT
He looked at me with mock surprise and said, "Miles!?!"
"Nooo!" He was messing with me, of course. I was referring to the temperature outside not how many miles I had ran. He knew that, of course. "Do I look like I just ran 105 miles?" I should have known better.
He looked me over and nodded his head. "Well. Yes. But how many did you really run?"
"Nevermind," I said as I turned to leave.
"No, really, how many?"
"It doesn't sound so significant anymore, nevermind."
I wasn't really upset about it. Really. I walked away to shower smirking and shaking my head. I've done a fair share of miles again. I have been needing to build my base foundation again and I finally am starting to feel like I might be accomplishing that. I haven't done any long runs but I know the way I do things and building this base of shorter consecutive miles works better for me.
The temperature is supposed to be somewhere around the 100's again today. That, too, has been as consistent as my runs. I'm still working up to the numbers.
TT
Monday, August 8, 2011
It's working
I was beginning to feel tired. I was convinced the long day was weighing on me. Maybe it was the heat or maybe it was just the fact that it was a Monday that was making me feel like it wasn't ever going to end. I must have been watching the clock too closely that last half hour. When quitting time actually arrived I jumped up from my desk and made a bee-line to my car. Ordinary on a day like this I would have gotten in, started it up, and headed home. I would have stretched out and munched my way through the afternoon. Not this day.
Not for the past 12 days. My car seems to have learned the way to the gym instead of home after work. It takes me there now instead of home to munch and nosh and feel utterly miserable about myself for doing that. The plan seems to be working. I was still tired but I was there at the gym and I knew I only needed 30 minutes to fulfill my requirements. You know - the 21 days of working out for a minimum of 30 minutes? I've completed day 12 today and have 9 more consecutive days to go to have the total of 21 days. It wasn't such a bad day either after all the thoughts of being tired. I got a 4 mile run in and worked out for 40 minutes instead of 30. I ended up with a total of 25 miles last week. I haven't done that all year. Would you like to know how many miles I totaled the weeks before I started this 21 day plan? I can't. I can't tell you how many because I would actually have to tell you how few. It was 4.78 and the week before that was 6.65. You see...few, very few. Big difference compared to the 25 miles I got in last week.
And now? Am I feeling tired? No. I've spent a little time writing and I'll go read for a while now. Not such a bad end to a day where I started out feeling so tired. Somethings working.
TT
Not for the past 12 days. My car seems to have learned the way to the gym instead of home after work. It takes me there now instead of home to munch and nosh and feel utterly miserable about myself for doing that. The plan seems to be working. I was still tired but I was there at the gym and I knew I only needed 30 minutes to fulfill my requirements. You know - the 21 days of working out for a minimum of 30 minutes? I've completed day 12 today and have 9 more consecutive days to go to have the total of 21 days. It wasn't such a bad day either after all the thoughts of being tired. I got a 4 mile run in and worked out for 40 minutes instead of 30. I ended up with a total of 25 miles last week. I haven't done that all year. Would you like to know how many miles I totaled the weeks before I started this 21 day plan? I can't. I can't tell you how many because I would actually have to tell you how few. It was 4.78 and the week before that was 6.65. You see...few, very few. Big difference compared to the 25 miles I got in last week.
And now? Am I feeling tired? No. I've spent a little time writing and I'll go read for a while now. Not such a bad end to a day where I started out feeling so tired. Somethings working.
TT
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Scenario: Never long enough
I was listening to my iPod as I ran on Saturday at the gym. I had on the album Awake by the group Skillet which I have listened to many times. The third cut came on and I couldn't help but think how I could play with this idea from their song Don't Wake Me. (It's all over YouTube if you want to hear it-just search- Don't wake me skillet).
I wrote this from his point of view so I hope I don't confuse. I had to give it a try.
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We were sitting across from each other after all these months at our favorite restaurant. I couldn't believe she had agreed to see me after all this time, but there she was. It hadn't ended well back then and she had called me more than a few names I haven't been able to get out of my head since then. She was right. I had been distracted with work those months ago or at least that was my excuse. I hadn't given her the attention she needed or deserved. I made promises to her I knew I couldn’t keep. I had been a selfish guy who only thought about what was important to me at the time. I should have realized how important she was to me sooner. If only I had done things differently.
I couldn't believe she was here. And now looking across from her at the table I couldn't get over how beautiful she looked. She was so much more than I ever remembered. Her hair was shining, her complexion flawless, and real joy was glittering from her eyes. We were talking and laughing like we used to do at the beginning. It hadn't been that way that last time we were together. And yet now she kept stealing glances at me with such inner happiness while she moved her silverware in nervousness. I was confused by her acceptance and asked her. I hadn't expected to have this wonderful reaction from you. She merely shrugged her shoulder and smiled coyly. I couldn't hold back my amazement and smiled back at her.
We sipped our drinks and I noticed the room seemed sparse with the farther edges cloudy and not well defined. I realized something wasn't quite right about the situation. I scrunched my brows knowing she would never agree to see me again. She had made it plain to me many months ago. I had wanted her to give me another chance back then but she claimed to have given me so many chances already. And yet, here she was. She looked so calm and lovely. I couldn't help getting pulled into her stare and seeing in those depths that she was willing to let me back in. I was absorbed in that feeling she generated and couldn't pull myself away.
I caught a glimpse of the waiter making his way to our table with a large circular tray loaded with heavy dishes of food. I was abruptly startled by the riotous thunder when the tray tilted and everything it contained crashed to the floor.
I sat bolt upright in bed. I had to adjust my eyes to the dark as I heard the thunder crash and the rain beat down outside my bedroom window. It was pouring down in sheets, wave after vicious wave of rain coming down. I slowly got my bearings in the dark surroundings and I knew I was alone in my own empty room. I was breathing too quickly and eventually was able to slow it down as my hope sank and I slowly exhaled the dream away. It had seemed so real but again I knew it wasn't. After a moment I finally lay back down and into the pillows. I closed my eyes and listened to the rain as I tried to bring the dream back. I knew it was the only place she would ever agree to see me again and I never stay asleep long enough.
TT
I wrote this from his point of view so I hope I don't confuse. I had to give it a try.
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We were sitting across from each other after all these months at our favorite restaurant. I couldn't believe she had agreed to see me after all this time, but there she was. It hadn't ended well back then and she had called me more than a few names I haven't been able to get out of my head since then. She was right. I had been distracted with work those months ago or at least that was my excuse. I hadn't given her the attention she needed or deserved. I made promises to her I knew I couldn’t keep. I had been a selfish guy who only thought about what was important to me at the time. I should have realized how important she was to me sooner. If only I had done things differently.
I couldn't believe she was here. And now looking across from her at the table I couldn't get over how beautiful she looked. She was so much more than I ever remembered. Her hair was shining, her complexion flawless, and real joy was glittering from her eyes. We were talking and laughing like we used to do at the beginning. It hadn't been that way that last time we were together. And yet now she kept stealing glances at me with such inner happiness while she moved her silverware in nervousness. I was confused by her acceptance and asked her. I hadn't expected to have this wonderful reaction from you. She merely shrugged her shoulder and smiled coyly. I couldn't hold back my amazement and smiled back at her.
We sipped our drinks and I noticed the room seemed sparse with the farther edges cloudy and not well defined. I realized something wasn't quite right about the situation. I scrunched my brows knowing she would never agree to see me again. She had made it plain to me many months ago. I had wanted her to give me another chance back then but she claimed to have given me so many chances already. And yet, here she was. She looked so calm and lovely. I couldn't help getting pulled into her stare and seeing in those depths that she was willing to let me back in. I was absorbed in that feeling she generated and couldn't pull myself away.
I caught a glimpse of the waiter making his way to our table with a large circular tray loaded with heavy dishes of food. I was abruptly startled by the riotous thunder when the tray tilted and everything it contained crashed to the floor.
I sat bolt upright in bed. I had to adjust my eyes to the dark as I heard the thunder crash and the rain beat down outside my bedroom window. It was pouring down in sheets, wave after vicious wave of rain coming down. I slowly got my bearings in the dark surroundings and I knew I was alone in my own empty room. I was breathing too quickly and eventually was able to slow it down as my hope sank and I slowly exhaled the dream away. It had seemed so real but again I knew it wasn't. After a moment I finally lay back down and into the pillows. I closed my eyes and listened to the rain as I tried to bring the dream back. I knew it was the only place she would ever agree to see me again and I never stay asleep long enough.
TT
21 day habit gambit update
I am in the midst of a 21 day attempt to make a habit. It started on 7/28/11 when I pulled myself up and dragged my lazy self to the gym. I realized that I had been abusing the time I was spending directly after work to come home and become a dormant, grazing, nothing-doer. I would use that time to snack and feel bad about the fact that I was using that time to do something I knew I shouldn't be doing with no real reason behind it. Except that I was using excuses of the heat for me being unable to run outdoors so somehow that translated into doing nothing and eating junk food instead. Go figure.
I decided I needed to stop and fill that time after work. I decided to use the 21 days to make a habit idea. I made my rules that I would work-out every day for the next 21 days starting 7/28/11. I would have a minimum work-out time of 30 minutes and I could choose whatever work-out I wanted to do.
I have been doing it every day so far. Today has marked my 11th day and I have ten more consecutive days to go. I am at the half-way mark. I must say the first two days at 10 minutes before I was about to leave work I tried to convince myself I didn't need to go. The thought of me giving up after just two days seemed ridiculous to me. What? I couldn't even do two days? After five days I was a little tired and thought I needed to change my running up a little. On days six and seven I actually walked for 40 minutes instead of running for 30. On days 8 and 9 I actually ran further and faster even after I was feeling a slight soreness in my upper legs that morning. It didn't affect me later and on day 10 I ran for 50 minutes. I will go out again today and the next 10 to make a full 21 consecutive days of work-outs. I've stopped the snacking and, yes, I feel a whole lot better already. Oh, and I got a small bonus after a week when I realized I had dropped 1.4 lbs.
So I am half way there on this little trick I am playing on myself. Here is an old picture I took when I was half way through the half marathon I ran last November. I figured since I was half way on to something again it might serve as good motivation. Oh, shedding 1.4 lbs of junk food snacks works well for that, too.
I decided I needed to stop and fill that time after work. I decided to use the 21 days to make a habit idea. I made my rules that I would work-out every day for the next 21 days starting 7/28/11. I would have a minimum work-out time of 30 minutes and I could choose whatever work-out I wanted to do.
I have been doing it every day so far. Today has marked my 11th day and I have ten more consecutive days to go. I am at the half-way mark. I must say the first two days at 10 minutes before I was about to leave work I tried to convince myself I didn't need to go. The thought of me giving up after just two days seemed ridiculous to me. What? I couldn't even do two days? After five days I was a little tired and thought I needed to change my running up a little. On days six and seven I actually walked for 40 minutes instead of running for 30. On days 8 and 9 I actually ran further and faster even after I was feeling a slight soreness in my upper legs that morning. It didn't affect me later and on day 10 I ran for 50 minutes. I will go out again today and the next 10 to make a full 21 consecutive days of work-outs. I've stopped the snacking and, yes, I feel a whole lot better already. Oh, and I got a small bonus after a week when I realized I had dropped 1.4 lbs.
So I am half way there on this little trick I am playing on myself. Here is an old picture I took when I was half way through the half marathon I ran last November. I figured since I was half way on to something again it might serve as good motivation. Oh, shedding 1.4 lbs of junk food snacks works well for that, too.
TT
Friday, August 5, 2011
Like rabbits
I have yellow sticky's glued to the top of my desk here in my upstairs workspace. I knew when I put one down it was more of a list of things to get myself organized but I complied it on the sticky note and brought it home where it was placed on my desk. I realize now when I glance down next to my laptop that the one sticky note has somehow multiplied. I can't be sure if there is some type of rabbit effect going on here. You understand that concept, right? First there is one and because that was alright you get another and when you turn back and then look around at it again you have a hutch full? I now seem to have a hutch full of yellow sticky notes on the top of my desk.
Everywhere on the top of my desk that my laptop doesn't occupy seems to be covered in yellow sticky notes. Some are even glued down slightly on top of another so they open like pages to a book. These are the ones that are rectangular instead of square that have the gluey stuff running down the long edge instead of the top. I could leaf through them and maybe I thought that was a good idea at the time of the sticking? I can't answer that because there is no telling what I was thinking at the time! I seemed to have gone from index cards to sticky notes in a big way! What did I write on these?
I know it isn't lists for grocery items. It isn't things pertaining to my regular job. I know that is not what these contain. I wouldn't fill the hutch with those things. They have to contain other ideas or they wouldn't have landed on a proud and empty spot on top of my desk right here in my upstairs workspace. And now that I've noticed the full hutch I guess I will need to go through the notes and see what I have.
It's seems to be time (again) to clean up the rabbit hutch.
TT
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21 day habit gambit - Day 9 completed - 12 to go.
Everywhere on the top of my desk that my laptop doesn't occupy seems to be covered in yellow sticky notes. Some are even glued down slightly on top of another so they open like pages to a book. These are the ones that are rectangular instead of square that have the gluey stuff running down the long edge instead of the top. I could leaf through them and maybe I thought that was a good idea at the time of the sticking? I can't answer that because there is no telling what I was thinking at the time! I seemed to have gone from index cards to sticky notes in a big way! What did I write on these?
I know it isn't lists for grocery items. It isn't things pertaining to my regular job. I know that is not what these contain. I wouldn't fill the hutch with those things. They have to contain other ideas or they wouldn't have landed on a proud and empty spot on top of my desk right here in my upstairs workspace. And now that I've noticed the full hutch I guess I will need to go through the notes and see what I have.
It's seems to be time (again) to clean up the rabbit hutch.
TT
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21 day habit gambit - Day 9 completed - 12 to go.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Today is...
I was confused and thought yesterday was Thursday but it wasn't. Today is Thursday and yesterday was Wednesday which makes it feel like this week has an extra day in it and I have two more days before the weekend instead of just the one I thought was left because today isn't Friday it is Thursday all over again since yesterday was Wednesday.
You've had those kind of weeks or days, haven't you? I've been so busy it certainly felt like I had already worked four days out of the workweek instead of the three it actually was. I've crammed at least four days work into the three that have actually past. Unfortunately, even if I have gotten four days of work into three I can't count it that way. I will still need to show up and work the two days I have remaining. It isn't as if I don't have the work to keep me occupied. Good thing? Bad thing? Either way, I think I have my days straight in my mind again and shouldn't be confused.
Today is Thursday and tomorrow is Friday because yesterday was Wednesday and Thursday follows Wednesday and then Friday. Is that right? Wait. Friday follows Thursday which follows Wednesday... I know, I know. Let me just say that today is Thursday and leave it at that. I mean, I already said I was confused.
TT
You've had those kind of weeks or days, haven't you? I've been so busy it certainly felt like I had already worked four days out of the workweek instead of the three it actually was. I've crammed at least four days work into the three that have actually past. Unfortunately, even if I have gotten four days of work into three I can't count it that way. I will still need to show up and work the two days I have remaining. It isn't as if I don't have the work to keep me occupied. Good thing? Bad thing? Either way, I think I have my days straight in my mind again and shouldn't be confused.
Today is Thursday and tomorrow is Friday because yesterday was Wednesday and Thursday follows Wednesday and then Friday. Is that right? Wait. Friday follows Thursday which follows Wednesday... I know, I know. Let me just say that today is Thursday and leave it at that. I mean, I already said I was confused.
TT
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
It's been hot...did you know?
We are currently in a Heat Advisory. I saw the statement pop-up on my weather widget on my laptop and then someone actually told me about it. We are predicted to have 100+ degree temperatures this full week with no rain in the forecast. It will be over 100 degrees this entire week. That's pretty hot. Even I, who loves the warmer climes, would have to say that's hot (not that I have stopped eating my lunch outdoors) but yes, it's hot.
The thought that passed through my mind was...did everyone else just notice? There have been consecutive days of over 100 degree weather since about the middle of July this year. It isn't as if this is the first week we have experienced this phenomenon. It has reached these heights before this very summer. So why exactly have they pasted the label of Heat Advisory on the reports now?
Is it really because they just happened to come out of their air-conditioned cocoons to realize what it's like to be outdoors? I can just see the pale and glassy-eyed lifting one arm to protect their eyes from the foreign sun as they venture out their front doors. The rays scorch through their clothing putting them into an instant sweat and then they are dallied with by a blast of hot air. The fiery breeze only fans their already too high body temperatures which sends them running to another shelter within their sphere. I guess if that is what happened it might explain the recent decision to throw up their arms to protect themselves from the almighty sun and declare a Heat Advisory now.
Or maybe since it has been going on for a while they needed a new marketing tool to get everyone's attention. The Heat Advisory warning might just be another way to get those pale and glassy-eyed reason to stay in their air-conditioned cocoons longer in order to watch more of the ratings driven programming instead of really experiencing what has already been going on for about a month if they had experienced anything that wasn't inside. Maybe not.
It's just a thought.
TT
The thought that passed through my mind was...did everyone else just notice? There have been consecutive days of over 100 degree weather since about the middle of July this year. It isn't as if this is the first week we have experienced this phenomenon. It has reached these heights before this very summer. So why exactly have they pasted the label of Heat Advisory on the reports now?
Is it really because they just happened to come out of their air-conditioned cocoons to realize what it's like to be outdoors? I can just see the pale and glassy-eyed lifting one arm to protect their eyes from the foreign sun as they venture out their front doors. The rays scorch through their clothing putting them into an instant sweat and then they are dallied with by a blast of hot air. The fiery breeze only fans their already too high body temperatures which sends them running to another shelter within their sphere. I guess if that is what happened it might explain the recent decision to throw up their arms to protect themselves from the almighty sun and declare a Heat Advisory now.
Or maybe since it has been going on for a while they needed a new marketing tool to get everyone's attention. The Heat Advisory warning might just be another way to get those pale and glassy-eyed reason to stay in their air-conditioned cocoons longer in order to watch more of the ratings driven programming instead of really experiencing what has already been going on for about a month if they had experienced anything that wasn't inside. Maybe not.
It's just a thought.
TT
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The first rule
This blog has always been my tool. It was something I was able to use to fix and remedy a writing problem. It seemed like a good solution and looking back now, it worked. It not only solved the problem but it became a discipline. I accomplished what I originally set out to do and I did it successfully because I can no longer truly say the problem exists. It went beyond my original goal.
So what is it now? It certainly still is a tool and definitely a discipline. It has become so ingrained I wouldn’t know how to change it. But since it seems to have accomplished my original goals I keep thinking I need to take a look at what it should be in a different light. I have always stood firm that it was my tool but since the tool has served me well I wonder if it is time for me to think deeper about what I am using this blog for?
What should it be going forward? Or is it fine to keep it the way it is?
It has always been about my writing. I started out unsure and convinced I was unable. I wanted to try to write and this gave me the way to do it. And I did it. It has taken some time, practice and determination to not stop when I was shaken by my own under-confidence. But I worked past it all and am here at this time now when those things are no longer in the way. I’ve worked past them by sheer bold discipline and determination. Those are easily said but not so easy to do. I know. I still have times I need to shake those feelings.
I was recently asked if I realized the negative tone that the line under my header contained and I was asked if it truly represented the way I felt about my writing at this point. In particular the reference was to the word struggle I had used in the very short sentence. It read: My thoughts as I struggle to get words on a page. That might have been very true some time ago when it was originally written but when it was pointed out to me I had to admit the struggle wasn’t so true now and I know I need to stay away from any negatives. It wouldn't be true to say I do not struggle at times but not in comparison to when I started all this.
What should it be going forward? Or is it fine to keep it the way it is?
It has always been about my writing. I started out unsure and convinced I was unable. I wanted to try to write and this gave me the way to do it. And I did it. It has taken some time, practice and determination to not stop when I was shaken by my own under-confidence. But I worked past it all and am here at this time now when those things are no longer in the way. I’ve worked past them by sheer bold discipline and determination. Those are easily said but not so easy to do. I know. I still have times I need to shake those feelings.
I was recently asked if I realized the negative tone that the line under my header contained and I was asked if it truly represented the way I felt about my writing at this point. In particular the reference was to the word struggle I had used in the very short sentence. It read: My thoughts as I struggle to get words on a page. That might have been very true some time ago when it was originally written but when it was pointed out to me I had to admit the struggle wasn’t so true now and I know I need to stay away from any negatives. It wouldn't be true to say I do not struggle at times but not in comparison to when I started all this.
So what do I do with my tool ? How can it serve me better now in my current circumstances? That is something I need to figure out and will be giving more thought to. I will. In the meantime, I need to just keep on writing because the first rule of writing is...I need to write.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Spending time
It's Monday, August 1, 2011. I guess I don't need to reiterate it since it's right there up above. It is something that always seems to go through my mind when I start a new month. A new month. Another batch of time to use up in a number of days, weeks and yes, months. It's all in what there is to do and what I want to get done. The opportunity to keep moving forward on the things that are working and to also take a moment to look at the things that aren't and see what I want to do about those. It is time to re-start things I've put aside and find my way back to them in order to get them done. Why not? I only left them because of time or lack of. It wasn't a good time or I didn't have time or I need to make more time or if I had the time I would...
Here's my opportunity. I don't need to say it again but it's a new month. August 1st. How will I spend it?
TT
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21 day habit gambit - Day 5 completed - 16 to go.
Here's my opportunity. I don't need to say it again but it's a new month. August 1st. How will I spend it?
TT
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21 day habit gambit - Day 5 completed - 16 to go.
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