Winter 2014 February 17 Monday

37 degrees this morning.  I will be so glad when Spring is here.  I am tried of having to "bundle up each morning before I walk and ride my bike.  If it is a typical winter, I should be seeing a Crocus (my name for any Spring flower in the next two weeks or at least the first two weeks of March.

Of course, then it is mid-May before it actually gets warm, although there are a lot of nice days.  I hope the excessive cold weather goes away.

Just thinking again about the "delusion" that I will ever "get a round-tuit" as far as reading many books I have saved for years on the premise that "sometime" I would actually get around to reading(or rereading) them.  I now realize that I probably never will so it may be better to release them to someone who will read them.  Ditto for things that I will use "sometime". (With the notable exception of my "hot wheels" collection which I intend to keep as long as I can remember what they are and then maybe  donate them so they will be used).  This  includes pens, golf clubs, cute little notebooks, conference bags, old computers, palm pilots, and whatever else I may find.  

I still enjoy the "Fitbit Force".  It is amazing.  One thing really puzzles me is that I put it on "sensitive" for monitoring my activity during sleep and my sleeping time went down about half.  I put it back on "regular" and my steady sleep returned.  

The Fitbit Force "app" is much easier to use and if you buy a Fitbit, be sure to get the app for your smart phone.   I don't pay a lot of attention to the other stuff, except for the "steps" when I am away and can't exercise on a regular basis.  

The "Sleep101" app for the iPhone is miserable compared to the Fitbit Force.  One thing I especially like about the Fitbit Force is that it is attractive enough I can wear it as a watch (at least for causal dress).  I have to punch a button to see the time, but with iPhones etc., I can see the time anyway.  

Another "tuit" I planned "when I have time" is to learn more applications for my computers, iPads etc.   However, I have learned that "when the student is ready, the master appears" applies to computer applications.  Until I want to use it for something, I probably won't learn it as effectively as if I had a use for it right now and usually it is better if I try it myself before  I go in for a class on it, because I'll remember it better. 

Winter 2014 January 23 Thursday

28 degrees this morning.  The winter continues.

The "Fitbit Force" is an amazing device, with a few limitations.  For example, it doesn't recognize my bike riding at all (I knew this before I purchased it), and I still need to figure out how to relate it to 'My Fitness Pal". etc.  I just need to take the time to do it.

Some time ago, I read a book (I believe by Scott Peck).  In a way the book was disappointing as compared to his earlier books, but he said something about time that really grabbed my attention and to some degree has significantly changed my behavior. He mentioned about fixing something on his car and mentioned that that he could figure out anything, "if he chose to take the time to do it, but he didn't feel that was the best use of his time". 

After reading this, I kind of forgave myself for my complete lack of technical skill, something I have always admired in other people.  It just takes me too much time to figure out how to fix something, it just isn't a good use of my time.  I did figure out some technical things, and was satisfied I COULD do it, but the time involved was substantial.  I happily chose to use my skills in the areas I am good at so I could hire a skilled person to do the items I had difficulty doing.  It has actually worked out well, the major problem is finding people who are good at the tasks and available .  I always say if I was a good handy person (home repairs etc.), I could make a million dollars just by showing up and billing reasonably, but then I don't have the skills and I"m sure running your own business has a lot of billing and collection problems I'm not familiar with

Winter 2014, January 22, Wednesday

16 degrees this morning.  Not particularity bad, since there was no wind.  I did my regular exercise (walk about 30 minutes, bike to ATC, stationary bike etc.)   Main problem is the amount of extra time it takes to dress for the weather.  An extra layer etc., it all starts to add up.

Newspapers arrived on time, which was good.  It gives me a good start on the day to be able to read them early, usually as I ride the stationary bike at ATC Fitness.  I just started using my "Fitbit Force". It is interesting how it keeps track of everything and "syncs" wirelessly, as long as I have the toggle in my computer.

I downed "box", which is similar to "dropbox", cloud (Amazon), Skydrive (Microsoft) and iCloud (Apple).  I like them all, although I use dropbox and cloud the most right now.  I got 50 GB free on box, which was enough to decide me to switch to Box to store a lot of items!  I still need Apple iCloud to sync my information between all my apple devices (it actually automatically syncs my iPhone, iPads, laptop and desktop so everything I do on one is reflected on the other.  

I feel like today is going to be a great day!  Nothing wrong with being positive! Some years ago, I did decide I was going to have to stop "living in the future" and start "living in the present", mainly meaning I wasn't going to put off so much to some "future self".  I guess that is about the same as was discussed in the "The Willpower Instinct" when a person feels they will have more time, have more willpower, be more confident etc. in the future.  Maybe it's not all that related after all, but it is somewhat the same concept.

Working on "weeding" "things".  Very difficult.  It is a littler easier if I am giving them away, at least I feel the item may have a useful life elsewhere, so to speak.  

As far as the weather is concerned, I'm glad there isn't any snow involved.  I can deal with the cold.