2019 Winter January 31 Thursday

#Purple_Days_and_Golden_Nights

#My_Journey_19

#Winter_of_19

22 degrees this morning (feels like 13) humidity 71%

Cold weather continues, the good thing is that there is little wind and the sun is out, so it’s not as bad as it sounds.  

Walk yesterday, I walked and then went swimming, which was nice.  Walk was 26:30 minutes but I also went swimming about 15 minutes.  

Still struggling with time to do the exercises etc.

I continue to wonder how we have a juvenile, bullying, lying, coward so called President who makes vicious lying personal attacks, shovels tax dollars to his donors, lobbyists and big companies, including his,  and manages to maintain over 30% “support”.  Maybe that is the “fake news”.  

Doing my taxes, I am really angry that the lying coward lunatic and the congressional cowards gave all kinds of tax breaks to donors, lobbyists and big businesses, while increasing my taxes!  Sick.  

Of course, they did this by increasing the national debt, and now they are crying about how they have to “save money” by cutting social security etc. (which we paid for our entire lives).

I realize I can’t do much about it, especially since our congressional representatives are cowards and bootlickers who don’t have any political courage and completely ignore the people they are supposed to represent.

Saw a quote this morning that “dreaming is a form of planning”.  My first thought was about dreams while we are sleeping, but I’m sure she meant “dreaming” about plans and opportunities.  

I have observed a lot of types of “dreaming”, and I agree that dreaming is probably a necessary part of planning.  

The key is being able to implement your dreams, at least in some form.  

I have seen people who “dreamed” but that is all they did and then many people  who have dreams, some realistic, some unrealistic.  

I think it is important to dream the “unrealistic” dreams, since even unrealistic dreams may be achieved if the right circumstances enable the dreams to become reality.  If nothing else, while trying for unrealistic dreams, you may achieve other dreams.

Perhaps that relates to what I call my “Personal Strategic Plan”, realizing that dreams are achieved by “taking the first step” and starting action plans to meet your dreams and goals

Getting started and keeping it up on a regular basis are the keys. As always, easier said than done!

That’s it for now, Thursday, January 31, 2019.

2019 Winter January 30 Wednesday

#Purple_Days_and_Golden_Nights

#My_Journey_19

#Winter_of_19

30 degrees this morning (feels like 23 degrees), 64% humidity.  No walk yesterday (medical appointment and work schedule), plan on walk/swim later today.  I am going through an internal debate on how to schedule walking, swimming, exercises using devices I can use at home and machines I can only use the the fitness center.

At my medical appointment yesterday, I kind of took the initiative and avoided the lecture about losing weight by bring up that maintaining/losing weight was still a problem I am working on.  

The Doctor asked me if I had any “new hobbies” and I told him I was short of time now and I was trying to look at ways I could save time!  I am always open to new hobbies or experiences, but I also have to make a decision on where the time will come from for any new hobbies! 

While it is cold, looking at other parts of the country, it could be much worse.  Also, it is strange that 22 degrees in the sun and no wind can be much nicer than 43 degrees, cloudy and windy!  

Not that I am a fan of any temperature lower than 72 degrees, but I have to live with what nature provides!  

I always think of February as the last “real” month of “real Winter”, which isn’t really true, but it makes me feel better.  As I have noted before, I really feel like March, April and even the first two weeks of May can be really vicious, with temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s which really feel cold!

I am always surprised at some of the “attacks” I hear and see on “digital assistants” like the Google Mini and the Amazon Echo.  They are really amazing devices, at extremely low prices (compared to the benefit) and actually work pretty well.  

Also they are frequently on sale for 50% or so of the “list” price.  

I feel like it is a comparison with the early cell phones, which were derided as for “Yuppies” until people actually experienced one and realized how great they were!

I don’t recall the first iPhone’s ever really going through the “hate phase”, although a lot of people didn’t see the benefit until they actually got one or saw one in use.

Siri, perhaps because it was new and had a big “Wow” factor never seemed to go through the “hate” stage, although unfortunately Apple seems to be slow to upgrade Siri with new features and keep up with the competition.  

Anyway I am thinking of giving a speech (to Toastmasters) about the benefits of the Echo and Google Mini.  There are a lot of benefits an very few drawbacks.  

My only problem is knowing that I am using only a small part of the true capacity of the Echo and I know it. 

Kind of like the Siri “shortcuts”, which are truly wonderful, but it is difficult to develop “shortcuts”, kind of like it is difficult to develop “routines” for the Echo. Note I said “difficult” not important.  

Years ago, I read a book by Scott Peck, where he said “if you put enough time into it, you can do almost anything, the decision is whether it is worth your time to do it”.  (Or words to that effect).  Although it can’t be taken literally, it has a lot of truth to it. 

That’s it for now, Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

#resist

2019 Winter January 29 Tuesday

#Purple_Days_and_Golden_Nights

#My_Journey_19

#Winter_of_19

21 degrees this morning (feels like 21), humidity 80%

Weather forecast was right, it definitely turned colder this morning!  Actually, even 43 or so degrees yesterday was miserable due tot he wind and clouds.  It seemed like an especially bitter cold.

Walk yesterday was 16:57 minutes, then swimming after exercise.  Pace was the fastest it has been on the indoor floor, only 19 seconds slower than my goal

Felt good to swim again.  I didn’t try to swim in the lap pool, just paddled around getting used to swimming again.  I am trying to use ear plugs to keep water out of my ears.  Seemed to work well yesterday.

A moment of panic when I locked myself out of my locker, but at least I had my swimming trunks on!

Probably not going to exercise today, have early medical appointment.

Finished listening to the book on “biology”. 

Started listening to the Doris Kearns Goodwin book on “Leadership” during my walk.  Like all of her books, it promises to be an excellent book.

Today is “Kansas Day”, the state I grew up in and basically spent the first 40 years of my life.  Hopefully it is starting to turn around to be the state I remember. 

In regard  to “robots”, I am surprised at the intense dislike by some people of “digital assistants” like the Echo/Alexia and the Google mini.  

While I can understand people not liking something they don’t understand or have heard horror stories about, I think the Echo is a shining example of what a “robot” can be.  

While it isn’t perfect by any means, it is amazingly helpful in daily life, which to my idea is the perfect example of what a robot should do. 

There is probably some question as to where the Echo is a “robot’ but I think it meets most of the definitions of a “robot”, especially since it provides artificial support for human activities.

Perhaps part of the problem is that it is “oversold” somewhat as to what it can actually do, but it performs basic activities like reminders, appointments, timing, alarm clocks and especially lists every well.  

I really think the Echo, Google assistant etc. will be almost as life chaining as the iPhone, in the impact on our daily life.  In any event, we enjoy using it and have found it very valuable in our daily lives!

That’s it for now, Tuesday, January 29, 2019.

#Resist

2019 Winter January 28 Monday

#Piurple_Days_and_Golden_Nights

#My_Journey_19

#Winter_of_19

48 degrees this morning, humidity 44%, wind speed 12 mph

Should be mild weather today, except this is the high of the day and a cold front is coming in!  What else is new! 

Will walk inside this morning, debating trying swimming this morning, may or may not.  

Yesterday walked 35:24 minutes on the indoor track.  This is a “paused” total time, I walk one stage, then exercise and then walk another stage.  

Monday, start of another work week and the last week in January already!  

Speaking of “robots” yesterday, I am still surprised that the name is less than 100 years old.  On the other hand, maybe the name appeared when it was needed.  

Finished the audio book on biology while I was walking.  It was a 36 hour or so book, so I lived with it for a long time.  It was actually very informative.

I think part of the problem is processing information that I know I’m not going to use.  It is nice to hear it and interesting, but the fact I won’t be using it (at least no plans to) makes it harder to remember.  

That is one reason I like to mention items in this journal that have read about or that sound interesting, I think it is a memory device.  

I am reminded of the Professor I had in college, he would use colloquialisms (I even remember one “in the bag”, I believe although that doesn’t sound quite right).  

Anyway, he would use them in class and then when I would use them on the essay tests he would comment that I shouldn’t use non-standard English!  

That was probably the start of the period when the language was actually changing fast and I think it became acceptable to use “new terms”, even in business or legal type writing.  

I always felt the key is to communicate, not get concerned about the formal structure.   

However, I can also understand why a formal structure is needed, to insure that everyone does understand!  

Probably, especially the spoken language, has always changed rapidly.  I have always assumed it changed even more rapidly since the introduction of computers, space travel,, etc.

Anyway, back to robots, the term is concise and describes the items, although now there are so many types of robots, even more specialized words are needed o describe robots.  

That’s it for now, Monday, January 28, 2019. 

#resist

2019 Winter January 27 Sunday

#Purple_Days_and_Golden_Nights

#My_Journey_19

#Winter_of_19

34 degrees this morning (feels like 28), 60% humidity 

Cold weather is still hanging on, although it did get nice for several hours yesterday.  As long as there is no snow or rain, I am relatively happy!  As I mentioned, one day at a time, I am getting through Winter!

Walk yesterday, while I am still doing the walk in two stages, I am now using the “pause” function so it comes out as one stage.  

Walk was 33.43 minutes, 27 seconds slower than my “goal”, which is the best time I have had for an indoor walk.  

I was thinking about if the “indoor walk” was harder on my legs and feet.  Probably, since it is basically concrete covered by a thin (I assume) pad.  

Years ago, I learned the problem with running on concrete even versus asphalt payment.  Running on concrete I developed very bad shin splints, since concrete doesn’t have the “give” that asphalt does.

So far, so good, as far as walking on the indoor track, but I am going to avoid shin splints at all costs!  

I am trying to do a “set” of exercises on each machine at least several times per week.  I decided to do the “stretching” exercises etc. at home, but still searching for a time to put them in my schedule. 

It seems the best time for my schedule is early in the morning before I start work, but I already have too much scheduled at that time!

I used to do my exercise right after work since it provided kind of a “curtain” between work and my evening, but I kind of got away from that.

Robots.  Recently was surprised to learned that the term “Robot” was first used in 1920, so the term is less than 100 years old! 

Perhaps appropriately, the term “robot” comes from the word for “forced labor” or “servitude”.

I have never thought about it before, but I was startled to learn that the term “robot” actually refers to the robot as basically a slave.  

Somehow I always  thought of the robot as a willing helper, a willing participant in helping humans in the mundane tasks of life and more or less assisting humans in reaching true enlightenment by relieving us of the time consuming (or dangerous) tasks in our lives.  

On the other hand, the mere fact the term “robot” means “forced labor” doesn’t make it so.  

Just doing some brief research, robots have been designed or used in some manner almost since time began (without using the term “robot” of course, they used the more appropriate terms such as “artifical human”).   

Interesting reading about this, I am surprised what I learn each day!

That’s it for now, Sunday, January 27, 2019.

#resist

2019 Winter January 26 Saturday

#Purple_Days_and_Golden_Nights

#My_Journey_19

#Winter_of_19

28 degrees (feels like 21 degrees), humidity 78 %, exercise later today inside.  

Weather is still cold and somewhat miserable.  When there is no wind and the sun is shining it’t not too bad.  

Exercise yesterday was short due to time constraints, 17:52 minutes.  

Still trying to incorporate exercise and walking etc. into a regular schedule.  I don’t know how I could walk in the early morning due to my reaction to cold and the wind in the morning.

Office day yesterday.  I always enjoy an office day since I can catch up on paperwork and feel like I am resolving some of my work load. 

Another weekend, thank goodness. Monday it seems like the the weekend is far off and suddenly it is here.  Likewise, the weekend starts and I think I have a lot of time and suddenly it is Monday!

Newspaper delivery has been habitually late, by several hours.  I know I have to cancel, just got to bring myself to do it.  For one thing, I just need to let them know I’m not going to accept poor service, or rather basically no service.

Probably if they had provided some reason for the extremely poor service and given some time line on when it would be improved, it would have been acceptable.  At least it would have seemed they cared a little about the inconvenience to customers.  

I think that illustrates the motive is profit, not customer service or any commitment to a decent newspaper.   

Realistically the days of the delivered newspaper are probably going the way of delivered milk and will soon disappear.  (Actually I don’t even remember delivered milk myself.)

Change happens, but I will miss the physical newspaper.  I don’t read the electronic newspapers near as often or as near as completely.  They still haven’t really mastered the electronic newspaper.  

The Washington Post does a good job on the iPhone version and the Wall Street Journal does a good job on the iPad version, but none of them really do a good desk/laptop version.  The best I have seen (and I no longer read since I don’t live there anymore) is the Memphis Commerical Appeal.

I don’t really have any suggestions on how to improve it, hopefully someone will come up with some better ideas for electronic newspapers.  

I won’t miss the extreme editorial page, which was starting to spill into the news stories, so it is time to cancel and just not support such extreme, self-righteous (and self serving) views.  

Still listening to the “Great Course” on “Biology” during my walk.  While I am learning a lot (based on “zero” knowledge, which still means I don’t know much about it!).  It is interesting, but it is easy for my mind to wander.  

I still don’t think of walking inside as “real walking”, but it seems to have the same effects!  I do notice the difference to my “well being” when I walk and when I don’t walk.  Life is much better when I walk!

That’s it for now, Saturday, January 26, 2019.

#resist 

2019 Winter January 25 Friday

#Purple_Days_and_Golden_NIghts

#Journey_of_19

#Winter_of_19

21 degrees this morning (feels like 13 degrees), 66% humidity.  Indoor walk later.

The nasty weather really continues.  While it isn’t a bad as it could be (ice, snow etc.) the temperature and wind that just keep coming back made it as nasty a winter as I remember.  

I read a comment I thought was appropriate (probably won’t get it quite right).  

Someone said this winter is like having a fight, you are yelled at, and then the person starts to leave and then keeps coming back and yelling “and one more thing”!  

That is what is so bad about this winter, it starts to leave for awhile and then just comes right back for a spell!

Heard a Beatles song yesterday, and it hit me how long it has been since I first heard a Beatles song. I was actually in college and in Denver for the summer working at Samsonite  when the album “Sergeant Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band” was either released or at least consciously came to my mind.

The music has certainly endured a lot longer than I thought it would, through at least 4 generations, depending on how a “generation” is defined. 

Actually it reminded me of a “memory expert” who visited our high school.  That was the first I consciously remember the first Beatles song “I want to hold your hand”. 

He asked a number of current events and then he asked everyone to name the Beatles and most of the students knew all of their first and last names.  Of course his point was you remember that you have an incentive to remember.  

Ready to get back into walking and exercising.  While en enforced break is ok, and I like the extra time, I am ready to get back to it.

Still struggling with a lack of time.  I realize (like the memory experts comments), time is available for your priorities.  Of course the problem may be setting your priorities.

Perhaps the problem also is living your priorities!

Attended the local City Candidates Forum last night. It was interesting and basically well done, especially by the candidates.  

I realize from woking with them how much the local elected officials sacrifice and how much they contribute.  I admire the ones who serve for the “betterment of the community” and not because they have a special interest or some type of single purpose agenda.  

Unfortunately about 30 years ago, the “single purpose agenda” and not the general benefit of the community became more prevalent.  I actually observed it from a very close point!

I would laugh about it if it wasn’t such a problem, but it just amazes me when someone runs for political office on the basis that they “aren’t a politician” and “don’t have any government experience” like that is good.

Then it amazes me even more when they get elected based on the fact they are’t fit for the job!  

And then, I get worried when they want to change the laws so they appoint everyone based on “Accountability”, when by their own admission, they know nothing about government!  

I used to believe in the “short ballot” etc.  

Years ago, in my first “real” job, an Assistant City Manager told me the problem is that “anyone can get elected”.  

Unfortunately I realize now he was correct. 

That’s it for now, Friday, January 25, 2019.

#resist

2019 Winter January 24 Thursday

#Purple_Days_and_Golden_Nights

#My_Journey_19

#Winter_of_19

31 degrees this morning, 71 degrees humidity.  

In spite of the cold yesterday (23-32 degrees or so), it was actually almost nice with the lack of wind and sun!

No walking this morning, still somewhat recovering from being sick, plus my schedule today.  I miss walking in the outside every morning, but doubt if I could do it do to the cold and the effect it has on my allergy’s and asthma.

Scheduled to go to the allergy clinic today, the clinic had to reschedule for next week,  but hopefully will soon know if any allergies are involved.  

Feeling a lot better after my episode of illness Monday, but still feeling a little queasy occasionally, probably not even really related to what I had.   

January prods along, time seems to fly, but sometimes it seems like Winter is so slow!  As I mentioned, I’ll just take it one day at a time, glad that each day is a step closer to summer.

I turned in my planned “Annual Leave” for the year.  It feels good to plan days off for various events!  

Probably won’t have a “warm weather getaway” this year due to a variety of events, but that happens.  Maybe a short-notice one if we get a chance.

My experiment with an electric razor is going kind of up and down.  I thought it was going fairly good, and then I noticed (and then the person who cuts my hair noticed) that it wasn't going that good! 

I don’t think it is the electric razor itself, I think it is the lack of technique using the electric razor on my part!  

Interesting stories about how the Apple Watch (and iPhone) is becoming a “medical device”.  As I mentioned recently, the “auto sleep” app is amazing, and I regularly check my pulse by the Apple watch.  

Even now, the Apple Watch has a large variety of medical uses, including fall detection, monitoring of heart beat etc., it is truly amazing.  

The City we live in is having a “candidates forum” tonight.  I always like government at the localist of levels, as I have mentioned before.  

There is going to be a swing in the City Council, since 3 of the 5 positions are open and will have new members (Mayor and two Council Members).  Hopefully it will be an interesting and enlightening forum!  

We have a favorite candidate for our Ward, so we are going to support as well as learn!  Politics at it’s most basic. 

That’s it for now, Thursday, January 24, 2019.

#resist