Summer 2014 August 13 Wednesday (Smart Thermostat)

Summer 2014 August 13 Wednesday (Smart Thermostat)

70 degrees this morning.Yesterday, when it was 64 degrees, I noted it didn’t seem cold.  However, I changed my mind when I rode my bike, it was cold!  Walk today 54:04 minutes, a definite new record.  I knew I was walking faster this morning, but I don’ know why I was so much faster today compared to yesterday.  May be because I am concentrating on walking faster.  

Getting my “molds” for may new teeth (teeth implants) this week.  Then I will get my “new teeth” installed (i guess that’s the right word) in two weeks and the almost year long process will be over.  It really hasn’t been that bad, I would definitely would do it as having to continue dealing with the bridge.  The cost is about the same as a bridge replacement and will be the last time I need to do it.  

The electric rate we have is a “Smart Thermostat” rate, although we haven’t had the “smart thermostat” installed yet.  We asked for approval to install it, but haven’t heard so we are assuming it is ok.  There is no charge for the smart thermostat which I assume allows us to program similar to a “Nest” thermostat, which would be my preferred option.  

The Smart Thermostat (or Smart Meter) rate apparently saves us money, although probably not as much as someone who is out of the house a lot.  The rate varies from .05 cents a kilowatt to a high of .42 cents a kilowatt depending on the “electric load” the electric company is experiencing or projects to experience.

Anytime the rate is more than .05, we get an e-mail that for certain hours the rate will be higher (normally .10, .19 or .43) depending on their forecasting load.  

While we will probably have better savings when we have the smart thermostat installed, we also get a weekly report on number of kilowatts used, our savings versus the “regular” rate etc.

What I really like is that I can check with their website on my iPad, computer or even my iPhone and see exactly how many kilowatts we have used today (actually real time), this week, and since the last bill etc.  I don’t use it as much as I should.

If nothing else, the “smart thermostat” program has made me very aware of our electricity use.  I am more conscious of turning lights off, keeping the AC turned up (or down, depending on how you look at it, in other words, the hottest possible temperature where we are still comfortable at) and using ceiling fans before I turn the thermostat lower.  

Our house is somewhat naturally cool.  With the exception of one room, almost all rooms where you expect a ceiling fan has one, and that helps a lot.

We haven’t had to water our lawn yet, and I hope that continues.  I see nothing more wasteful than using drinking water to keep a lawn green or water plants that aren’t natural to the climate.  An individual doing it on their own is one thing, but I always felt that development requirements for irrigation of medians etc. is particularity wasteful, depending on the area you are in. There is proven technology to use wastewater etc. safety and effectively and I feel the emphasize should be on promoting such technology rather than promoting he waste of our precious ground water.

Watching the tv show based on the “CMA Fest”.  Makes me wonder if I attended the same festival or not.  At least they are showing the music this year and not some made up story like they have don’t in past years.  Thank goodness for the “fast forward” button and DVR’s.  

That’s it for now, Wednesday, August 13, 2014.

Summer 2014 August 12 Tuesday (Costs and Prices)

64 degrees this morning.  When it is 64 degrees (or in the range), I always think it will be cool like it was last spring when 64 degrees was still cool enough to dress warm.  For some reason, 64 degrees in the summer isn’t that cold and I tend to overdress.    Walked 56:53 minutes this morning, also sit ups and barbells. 

My weight bench (which is on the patio and has been for the past 8 years), has mushrooms browning out of the sides and bottom.  I don’t know if this is dangerous or not, but I wouldn’t eat them!  It really is weird, but I don’t see how it compromises the integrity of the bench.  I really like the bench, except that I can’t use it with a barbell.  I am keeping my eye out for a bench I can also use the barbell (such as for bench presses etc.)

After Labor Day, we will start looking at a gym (probably the YMCA).  I plan not only to continue my swimming on a regular basis but also expanding my weight lifting program.  

I am enjoying my “extended walk” in the morning (almost double what I have walked for years).  It gives me the chance to listen more to my audiobooks, and I just feel like I am stretching my limits a little.  

Listening to “Capital in the 21st Century”.  I’m not sure why I found it so interesting, but the author made the point that while products such as electronics and even food are much cheaper in terms of “hours worked to purchase” the item, a haircut has basically remained the same price.  The reason is that it takes the same amount of time to give a haircut, and the income of a barber/hair stylist has basically remained the same, and even the technology hasn’t changed much.  So, on average, it costs the same amount of time to work to get a haircut as it did 100 years ago! 

An example he specifically mentioned of interest to me was the price of the early bicycles were six month’s salary, and this was just for a basic bicycle, with basic brakes and wheels .  In a few years an advance bicycle costs one months pay, and then soon an even more advanced bicycle costs a weeks pay etc. Of course, it depends on what you consider a days pay is also.  

Obviously an even better example is electronics, for the item itself, although the service costs have  remained high. 

I still remember when I bought an inexpensive tv that broke after several years.  I took it in for repair and was advised it was a “disposable tv” and if something went wrong, you just threw it away and bought another one.  Of course now there are numerous items that are essentially “disposable” since it costs more to fix them than it does to purchase a new, much improved, item!  

In fact, when it comes to items such as iPhones, iPads, iPods etc., perfectly good devices are abandoned, given away or used for other purposes just because of the improved features of the new ones.  I could name lot more areas where this is true.

Kali and Katherine (our youngest Granddaughters) are starting school next week (the school system they go to starts later than many schools.  Seeing time pass in the lives of children really emphasizes how fast time goes.  I have watched Aliene’s grandchildren grow just since we got married and it is just amazing the changes in their lives in 18 years.  Of course, Kali and Katherine are only 14 and 11 (Katherine is 12 next week), so the change have been even more dramatic for them.  

I have probably been much more aware of time passing since last  November (when my job status changed), almost like I am under some kind of deadline, but I”m really not.  

Like life, this journal goes in a direction I hadn’t planned.  While walking, I was going to go into another subject today.  I never even got the chance to bring up the subject! Maybe tomorrow.

That’s it for today, Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Summer 2014 August 9 Saturday (Audiobooks and iPods and ex iPhones)

81 degrees this morning, muggy, although not as bad as yesterday.  After walking yesterday there was a light rain, and, when I rode my bike the temperature had dropped by 5 degrees or so and it was almost cold, no mugginess.  I noticed how much faster I went on my bike in the cooler weather. 

Walked 55:01 minutes this morning, (a new record) meaning I have dropped almost 4 minutes off my time since I  first started walking this route.  Of course , logically, at some point, I will reach a time where I can’t walk any faster, although probably I will reach an time where I take a second or so off every few months and at some point probably will almost never take any time off my “record”. 

Actually I try to avoid trying to do a better time every day, since it puts the focus on a quantitative  goal rather than the journey and I am more interested in the journey and the general goal of maintaining my health and weight.  And listening to my books.

Started listening to “Capital in the Twenty-First Century” during my morning walk..  I may need to rethink that!  Even with my interest in this, my mind tends to wander.  I’ll see how it goes.  There are some interesting parts, I just need to get my head into it. 

 After listening to  the “Bully Pulpit” while I walk and a James Patterson story while I drive, this is a little bit of a shock to my mind!  

I am tempted to listen again to the Bully Pulpit since I am going to see Doris Kearns Goodwin in person in September (along with 3,000 other people!).  I’ve actually seen her three times before (always an excellent and interesting presentation) and talked to her briefly when she sat down by us at lunch.  I have also read all of her books, which are always interesting and I seem to learn a lot from them.  Probably “Team of Rivals” (about Lincoln) is the best, but she is the type of writer it is hard to say anything is “the best”.  I also really liked her books about Johnson and Roosevelt also.

Actually I probably am probably going to start listening to some podcasts about starting my own business in the near future while I walk.  Right now, that is a priority, as soon as I get them on my iPod (formerly my iPhone!).  Actually I have two “ex” iPhones that are now iPods (one Aliene’s and one mine).  I actually jumped from an iPhone 3 to an iPhone 5 and Aliene from an iPhone 3S to an iPhone 5S. 

As long as the batteries are still good, (and they show no sings of failing after, I believeI, about 6 years (for the iPhone 3).  I have an iPod and three iPod shuffles that have batteries that are about 7 years old (I believe, I lose track!) that still have good batteries and are operating well. 

When to retire an electronic device is always a good question.  It seems like there is always a use for an iPod.  My original iPad (an iPad 1) is still going strong, but I do have a little problem finding a use for it.  It is good for music and listening to books but so is all my iPods and ex iPhones.  (Otherwise, it is very slow compared to the latest iPads).  

It is strange how the line of thought in this daily journal finds it own life.  I didn’t have any intention of writing an entire post about my old iPods and iPads and ex-iPhones!  Every day, it seems to develop it’s own life.  

By the way, on my birthday, my internet speed doubled, from 50 mbps to 100 (I actually measured it at 129 mbps download and 36 mbps upload).  Probably much more than I actually need, but it is nice to have it.  There is actually one level higher.  

Family birthday dinner at On the Border last night.  (Katherine and my birthday). Aliene and I invite everyone out to eat to celebrate the birthdays.  It is a nice gathering.  We limit our visits to On the Border for good reason.  I don’t weigh myself for several days after visiting!  I like the tamales, retired beans and the chips, one of the few times I allow myself to each such food!  Like dessert, I don’t avoid it completely, but do limit it.  

Actually I gained some weight during he move, but am now close to my low again, where I like to be.  I can actually tell the difference in how my clothes fit and how I  feel.  

That’s it for now, Saturday, August 9, 2014.

Summer 2014 August 6 Wednesday (Happy Birthday)

79 degrees this morning.  Walked approximately 57:28 minutes, 40 sit ups, 20 lb barbells.  Bicycled about 41 minutes.

During my bike ride yesterday, I came across “Snake Lane” and “Bonner Pass” in my addition (or at least in the neighborhood I ride in, it actually isn’t my addition). I know I wouldn’t want to live on “Snake Lane”, and Bonner Pass (if my memory is correct) also may have it’s difficulties.  

Some wind during my walk, probably will have to deal with wind during bicycle ride.  Some time ago, I decided I prefer hills to the wind.  The wind is a lot more difficult to deal with.  Yesterday, completed a full schedule of exercise with a bike ride of about 41 minutes and a swim of 26 minutes.  Neither one is all that impressive as I only average about 11 mph on the bike and just kind of dog paddle in the pool, but I have fun and get some exercise.  

When I turned 60, I noted hat in 10 years I would be 70.  I am now 70% towards that milestone., if it is actually a milestone.    

Reflecting on my 67 years, I have to say, I am “where I am meant to be” (whether it is where i wanted to be or not)  and I will have to do the best I can to deal with whatever my situation is.  

Some time ago, a friend mentioned that the words of the song “You may not always get what you want, but you get what you need”, had special significance.  I am still thinking about that one!  I’m still trying to decipher the meaning of it and how it impacts on me.

Obviously the highlight of the past year has been the trip to China.  Seeing the culture(s), meeting the people and observing was really an interesting experience. I would love to go back sometime.  I really enjoyed the discussions with the other city officials and looking at the cultures of the different areas.  I think I am still trying to assimilate all of it as I go through the pictures and notes of our experiences.  The international nature of the conference was also interesting (of course Chinese, and also Australia, England, Russia, and Canada). 

While I regret not being in Lakeland and especially our house, back yard and friends, I couldn’t work for someone I have absolutely no respect for and that I expect will end up leaving in disgrace. 

Aliene mentioned, and I agree, the hardest  part of the past year has been losing some of the routines we had developed that we had enjoyed, that involved all aspects of our lives, including valued routines with friends, and just our daily routines that we valued.  

I recently read that PTSD (or something like that) can result from any sudden change in your life style and sometimes it takes time and effort to deal with it, sometimes it just isn’t doable. I’ll have to do some more reading on that.  But it doesn’t just result from battle, or being the victim of a crime, it can create problems from any stress that “life isn’t safe or secure” anymore and I think a change in routines certainly qualifies as a stressor. 

The Ebola crisis reminds me of a book I read years ago about Ebola (I believe it was called the Hot Zone.)  I was shocked to read that such a disease existed and there was nothing that could be done about it.  I really admire the Doctors and other persons who help the persons with Ebola.  I don’t know what the incentive is, but it must take a special type person to to deal with that.  

Starting a new year.  A blank slate that gets a little smaller each year!  However, I have to think that this year I have a lot of opportunities I have had in previous years and I need to take advantage of the opportunity.  Much like Aliene mentions, she said (and it is true), we couldn’t have gone to China if I had been working, and I would have missed a major experience in my life.

Looking forward to the year  ahead, whatever it may bring.

That’s it for now, Wednesday, August 6, 2014.

Summer 2014 July 20 Wednesday (Persistence)

75 degrees this morning.  Rain was forecast. Walked 57:53 minutes, sit ups and weights.  Walked a different route this morning due to forecast of rain, so I walked so I could  get back if it started to rain.  As frequently happens, I will probably walk the new route on a normal  basis since I like it better for a number of reasons.  Due to the turns etc., n the neighborhood, I can walk almost as far inside the neighborhood as I can walking along the major streets.  Due the lack of maintenance of the sidewalks, it is safer to walk in the neighborhood, for the most part.

Good to get back to the routine of exercise.   lI usually find I feel a lot better if I walk first, and then  do the other exercises.    

“Sticking to it” (persistence) is important, I feel.  The other day I was indulging in on one of my secret vices (watching boxing on tv).   The match included a  6’7” fighter with one loss and around 14 wins and one loss.  The other fighter was about 6’ tall and had no losses.  The shorter fighter was hurt early and tried his best to win.  I haven’t seen such determination and drive in someone as I say in that boxing match as he struggles to maintain his record of no losses.   I admired his drive and spirit, but he still lost.

I think one reason persistence is so important and yet so hazardous is that if you persist in a goal, you basically are giving up working on other goals.  For a boxer, maintaining his no loss record is probably his top priority.  On the other hand, if he gets injured permanently, or suffers a loss of confidence, it could be he should have quit early.  I assume self-confidence is probably one of the most important aspects of boxing since you are literally in it by yourself and can’t depend on any one to  help you while you are in the ring. 

Some of this relates to the recent fad of (especially recruiters), asking job applicants to fill out a long list of questions, many of which don’t seem to really relevant.  It can take up to 8 hours (or more) to fill some out, and in most cases, you don’t get an interview anyway, the recruiter is just trying to show they can present a large number of qualified applicants and justify their fee, at least in some cases. 

I am debating if it really is worth the persistence to fill out the questionnaires or if I should just use the time to look for other jobs. I don’t mean the usually questionnaire on your specific qualifications etc, which I can understand.  This is a long list of “what would you do in this case” type questions that literally take hours to complete and don’t always appear relevant.  In the end, it is a simple decision-if you want the job, you fill it out.  If you feel you really aren’t interested or qualified and you can use your time better elsewhere, you don’t. 

Moving continues, with one project at a time.  I have completed  a major part of my “book weeding” and am now staring into phase two, where I will go through the books I have kept and “weed” more.  

I am amazed at how many t-shirts, caps etc., I have.  I am undecided how to proceed.  Do I just keep wearing them and try to keep my favorites, or do I just start taking pictures of many of them (for the record) and give them away.  Many of them (especially the hats) have lived a long useful life and probably need to be retired.  On the other hand, they are comfortable and if I do lose them or damage them it is no big deal, so….the decisions continue!

My “teeth implants” feel fine, I have absolutely no discomfort from it, other than the very first day.  I still have to have the new “teeth” made, and then another visit to have them installed and then the procedure will be over and I will be able to enjoy my new teeth!  I am going back to Memphis to see my current dentist to finish the process.  

That’s it for now, Wednesday, July 30, 2014.

Summer 2013 August 29

74/77 degrees this morning.  Relatively coolish, almost too cool to sit out on my patio (but not quite).

The book "The Willpower Instinct" reviewed this morning the technique of "surfing the urge" as a way of willpower, either the "will" or the "won't".  Interesting concept, I have actually used it myself and it is effective.  I finished listening to the book and started listening again, although I will probably get the book to read and listen to something else.

I like my quiet time in the morning when I sit down to write this Blog.  I feel a sense of being unhurried.  It doesn't really matter how much or what I write, but it is the opportunity to do so, the fact I make the time to be able to write something if I want.

I think that is also why my walk is so important (I can think what I want and think through problems etc.) and my cycling.  My stationary bike riding gives me the chance to catch up on my reading (especially the daily newspapers) and my nap provides the opportunity to meditate and escape for 27 minutes (or whatever!).  

What is great about writing this is that I can write about anything I please, and as much or as little as I want!

3-day weekend coming up.  I am looking forward to just hanging out.