2016 Spring April 9 Saturday

55 degrees this morning, walked 47:48 minutes

Speaking of governments, people and companies who try to manipulate people or dictate to them based on “what is good for them” are the websites who have weird password requirements and impose them on you.

Somehow, the most insignificant websites (such as “myfittnesspal”, to name the lasted culprit) have the weirdest requirements.  

It seems that they could have a password requirement which is more flexible, but I think part of it is just the ability to  exert control of the way they want it done (like Apple, Facebook, Microsoft etc. also do).  

Of course, my bank etc., has simple password requirements meaning I can use my usual format, which is about as safe as you can get.

What is really irritating is when a site suddenly decides to ask you to redo all of your information just when you are in a hurry, which is really frustrating.

I am adding companies who misuse GMO’s (genetically modified organism) in food production to establish a monopoly or who use it without proper testing o in an attempt to make “maximum profit” at the expense of people lives and health.

I thought some of the “hedge funds” were bad, at least they  only destroyed people financially, not their health in their drive for “maximum profit”.  

I am always amazed that an artificial corporations is considered a “person”, it seems that the government which creates the corporation could set it’s guidelines. 

I recently set up our water softener.  I had no idea of how a water softener works, or even why it is necessary.  

However, it was in the house when we bought it, so I decided to learn what I could about the care and feeding of a water softener.  

It is an amazing machine.  I”m not quite sure how it works but somehow it uses salt to “soften” hard water..  It has a huge water line running into it, which I assume is the water for the entire house.  

They actually have a warning on how much salt a “normal persons” may consume (depending on how much water they drink) if they are on a salt restricted diet. 

Anyway, shortly after we moved in the Low salt” light came on, so I looked through the manual, internet and gradually figured out how to get it going again.  I think.

Anyway, I think we have softened water again, proving the point of Scot Peck that you can do anything if you are wiling  take the time to learn how to do it.

Office day was yesterday, catching up on paperwork etc.  I really like the change of working  one day “in the field”.  

The change of pace is nice, plus I really enjoy working wth people “In the field”.

About ready to finish my current book I am listening to on my walk.  It has been a good book.

I am toying with the idea os listening to “War and Peace”, all 61 hours of it.  Of course, I play the player at 1.25 speed, which means it will take me about 45 minutes to listen to it.  

Much as I enjoy reading, I never read the entire book.

We’ll see.

THat’s it for now, Saturday, April 9, 2016.

2016 Spring April 8 Friday

52 degrees this morning, Walk 47:41 minutes 

Read something last night that stunned me.  A family liked to change pharmacies, in a search for better service, prices etc.  (about as American and legal as you can get).

The man was advised by the pharmacy that the “DEA likes for people to use only one pharmacy so they can  track the medicine you use better”!!!!!!.  They asked him to go back to his previous pharmacy!  

That is about as (any type of repression, name it) you can get, total control by the government in the name of some “emergency” defined by the government (name it, drugs, terrorism,) whatever they want to use as an excuse!

Not to minimize the problem of drugs, terrorism or whatever.  

I think it is absolutely intolerable  that any agency tries such controlling methods!  

I think I will start changing pharmacies every prescription just to protest!  Not really, it is too much trouble, but that is the mindset of some people that you just have to protest. 

Also, I don’t think it applies just to the “government”, we are continually preached to about how we should restrict speech etc. in the name of “(whatever is the thing at the moment).  I get sick of it.  

I don’t know what the name of the movie is but I like the image (if it was truly in the movie) of the person screaming out of the window “I’m mad as hell and I”m not going to take it anymore!”

The idea that we should use a single pharmacy so “the government can watch want we use easier” is a bad sign to say the least!  

On another subject, I was thinking during my walk this morning about the pro basketball team that supposedly the new owners (a group of computer billionaires) who decided that there were “inefficiencies” in the 2 and 3 point shots.

Anyway, I think before they can take the credit for the winning season (they are suddenly in a slump I understand, I wonder if they will take credit for that?) by their skills, not the skills of a player who can shoot a 3 point shot!  

I think I feel several different ways about it.  First of all, I do admire someone for trying something new, even if it is something like a sport.

On the other hand, I feel like many business people, are just as bad as the DEA, “they know what is good for us”.  

I realize it all works out in the end, and, like the thought I use to settle down, “I shouldn’t worry about  something I can’t do anything about”.  and “a minute  of anger displaces 60 seconds of happiness”  (not the actual quote of course, but the idea is the same).

On the other hand, I feel like I should do something about such repressive government actions as the DEA trying to force me to use one pharmacy, or the city government that allows a video billboard right in back of a house etc.  

Had another dream to note:

4-7-16 Dream

Dreamed I was doing someone in a house with a very small narrow stairs  to where I was going, something like an attic.

I went to the office and a man (seemed neither old nor young) helped me with something.

When I was leaving, without thinking, I took the remote to the tv (although I don’t remember watching tv)  a chair and a wrapped newspaper.

I took the items back when I saw them on the landing.

He did not look up or acknowledge me bringing the items back.

In fact, the office was dark and I couldn’t see him.

Another office (at the landing) was open without any doors and I wondered what hours they worked so they weren’t bothered by people.

That is all I remember.

That’s it for now, Friday, April 8, 2016.

2016 Spring April 7 Thursday

50 degrees this morning, walk 48:51 minutes

It is fun to look at a blank page each morning and realize I can write anything I want (within reason).  

I read the other day that soon we may be able to “think” thoughts and they will appear on the screen.  Probably can be done now to a limited degree.  

I know how I  felt when I first “typed” on a computer and felt the “magic” os seeing the words appear on  the screen, perhaps as I thought them with some short delay while my fingers transposed the thoughts into words.

Of course, it may be like dictation, that you have to insert the commas, periods, capitalization and spaces etc.  

Not that I mind saying “period” or “comma” or “new paragraph”.  I am just amazed that I can say it and it appears!

Thoughts may be more difficult. My major problem with “dictation” is saying random thoughts (or words from the radio etc.) that appear in the text that I have to go back and delete! 

I can just imagine what random thoughts may appear on the paper if I am just writing it in my mind! 

I don’t know what the status of this (being able to “think” thoughts to written letters) but I assume it will happen.

Of course, the next thing may be direct communication (thought to thought among people).  That is rather scary!  

It is all communication, but I think “reading” another persons mind may just be going to far!   I assume if it ever happens they will need some sort of “mind block” where you can block certain thoughts!  Or at least I hope so!

Thursday seemed to get here fast, hard to believe the week went so fast and the month of April, is going so fast.

Signs of Spring are everywhere (warm weather, things turning green etc.), but I still don’t see the colorful flowers.  Soon it will be too hot for them (except for the ever enduring Crepe Myrtles), so maybe there are few in this area.

For the first time I can remember, our “trash day” is a day other than Monday, it is actually Friday.  Recycling is “every other Friday”, which plays havoc with your mind in trying to calculate how much recycling I can get into the recycling cart.  

In my opinion, they should have it the other way around, the recycling cart every week and he regular trash every other week, although it seems they could put the recycling on a weekly schedule. 

We actually have a lot more recycling than we do trash.  

We really do right now, since I am recycling a lot of boxes in addition to the regular recycling which pretty well fills up the cart every other week anyway. 

I make kind of a game seeing how much cardboard can get into there recycling cart.  It is amazing how much I can get in!

That’s it for now, Thursday, April 7, 2016.  

2016 Spring April 6 Wednesday

67 degrees this morning (23-30 mph winds), Walk 48:33 minutes

I do a double-take every time I write “April 2016”.  It is difficult to conceive of how fast time goes and of course the older you get the faster it goes.  Since I get older every day…..

Extended my weight program and so far it feels good.  I added a bar and weight bench so I can put weights on and do bench press etc. type exercises.  

I have been using my bench and bar bells and it just isn’t the same as the bar with weights.  So far, I am using only the bar which is 45 lbs by itself, plus I am doing the same exercises with the bar bells I did before.  

My muscles can feel the additional training!  Of course, that is why I am doing it, so I can gradually (and I mean VERY gradually) increase the weights.  

Also got my boxing bag and punching bag set up (I still need to get an “S hook” for my punching bag), but I haven’t started using it yet.

Thinking of time, I am reminded of what Scott Peck said in one of his books that I have always remembered. 

He said that a person could probably do anything (like fix a car etc.) if they just took the time to do it.  I have always remembered that and when I start to get hyper about something taking too much much time, I remember what he said about “just take the time” to do it right.

Of course, as he emphasizes, a person decides if he wants to take the time to do something and may decide it isn’t worth the time to do it yourself.

While I have always admired people who can “do it themselves”  (fix cars, home repairs etc.), even if I was disposed that  way (I am very much “unmechanically” inclined, I have absolutely no skills or abilities in that area), I’m not sure if I would want to commit the time.  

I have had (and discarded the idea quickly) dreams of fixing up a house, a car etc. and realize I not only don’t have the ability and aptitude, I don’t want to commit the time.  Especially as I get older, and I want to do other things!

Still, the concept that I could do a lot more is good to know  Sometimes, I do do something just to prove to myself I can do it.

As I sometimes mention (not at the time, or probably until  years later), I barely passed “shop” when i was in high school and I don’t think I got much past building a “meat pounding board”, so my skills and maybe my interest were very limited!  

One thing I did do, I did take two years of typing in High School, because I enjoyed typing.  This has served me well, especially when personal computers became available as a routine matter.

I thought of this this morning as, yet again, I was untangling some earphone and charging cables and wondering it I should follow my impulse and just rip everything away.  No, I take my time and untangle everything!

It is strange how one comment or thought you see can affect your life so much.

There are other concepts that may have been a  throwaway thought by someone that I  read or hear and suddenly it becomes one of the foundations I live by!

Office day today. I need one to catch up on my paperwork, especially after an “interesting” day in the field yesterday and last Friday.

That’s it for now, Wednesday, April 6, 2016.

2016 Spring April 5 Tuesday

64 degrees this morning, walk 48:15 miles 

Hopefully Spring is finally here.  I have really noticed the difference between here and Memphis in eh range of flowering plants.  There are almost none here in the Spring and they were abundant in Memphis.

This is actually only my second spring here, so maybe I’m missing something or it comes a little later.  

Went to the Doctor yesterday to discuss my “CPAP” machine, which is basically a machine I use when I sleep.  He was very good and I learned a lot about the machine and sleep.  (It still doesn’t make it any easier to use it, but at least I know it is doing some good.)

Technology has taken over and he CPAP machine is connected by wifi, and the Doctor cn actually monitor my sleep, or least to a limited degree.  

Insurance companies will only pay for the machine if you use it a specified percentage, which I believe makes sense, at least within reason. 

Watching the Presidential Primary today with interest as a bizarre Presidential campaign becomes even more bizarre.

Just to think, it used to be “undignified” for a Presidential candidate to openly campaign!

Listening to the book on philosophy this morning, I heard my theory presented “don’t worry about what you cannot change”.  There is a related theory, assume you have already lost what you possess, that way you won’t be concerned i you lose it!  Or words to that effect.  

The recycling here is different, they give you a large 105 gallon cart and you just throw all the  recycling in he large cart.  It is called “single stream recycling”.

They only pick up the recycling once every two weeks, which is a hassle.  I would rather they pickup the regular trash every other week and the recycling every week!

Another dream, just after I mentioned I was going through a period of no dreams.   

4-3-16:  Dream:

A rather surprising realistic dream, Aliene and I go out to eat and end up in rustic restaurant built somewhat like in an attic (with crossbeams etc.)

As we go in, there are a lot of people and my walking shorts fall down (I catch themI), and Aliene snickers a “I told you so snicker”.

Somehow the scene changes (same place) but the restaurant when we get in transforms into a 3 booth restaurant with an old man at the front who asks if we want fried wasps (or maybe chocolate covered wasps).

I say “no” and Aliene says I am the type of person who world normally eat them!  

The dream ends there, but very realistic, one of those I wake up and think it was real for several seconds.

Don’t remember the first part.

That’s it for now, Tuesday, April 5, 2016

2016 Spring April 4 Monday

58 degrees this morning, Walk 47:54 minutes

We made some major advancements in moving yesterday when we reorganized the garage.  It is now easier to get to the cars etc.  (This was Aliene’s idea.)

Perhaps as important to me, after at least ten years of dragging around a “heavy bag”, holder (which is a major piece of equipment) and punching bag, i actually not have them set up so I can use them!   Actually I have had them about 20 years, probably 23 years.   

Now that I have the heavy bag set up (which is the name for  boxing bag, it is called “heavy” because it weighs about 100 lbs.), if I use it great, if I don’t, I’ll get rid of it.  

I also have a “punching bag”, which is a lot of fun, but I need to find an “S hook” so I can install it.  The “punching bag” is the little bag that you just hit fast.  

Also, finally got a bench press set, so I can resume lifting weights.  I currently have been doing only barbells, now I can use the “Long bar” for more exercises.

It probably took us 4 hours to get it together, but I used it for the fist time this morning and it was worth the money.  (It was not cheap, it is a good quality piece of equipment.  Since I lift primarily by myself, safety was a major concern.) 

Anyway, that will allow me to have a full program of exercise, with weights, the punching bag/heavy bag, bicycling, swimming and the machines at the YMCA.  Assuming I can find the time do all of this!

Didn’t really get any inspirational thoughts from my listening on my book during my walk this morning.

One thought, Aristotle’s thoughts and writings were so respected that many people thought his word was the “final word” and couldn’t be improved on!

In a way, because of this, he may have stalled philosophical thoughts and concepts  since no one wanted to disagree with him!

Probably one theme I always tried to emphasize when I was supervising was that all opinions were important and honest disagreement (including with me) was important.   

As noted during my thoughts on “change”, change is going to happen and the only way you are gong to be prepared (as much as anyone can be) for change is to be open to new ideas and not  assume that any concept is necessarily  true in new circumstances.

Starting to get ready for one of our annual events, for probably the past 11 or more years is attending the CMA Fest in Nashville.  Of course, it is a lot more effort to attend now than when we lived in Memphis, but perhaps that makes it only more important and fun.

Unfortunately, it is becoming popular enough that hotels, airlines etc are exploiting it for “maximum profit”, which I assume is ok, but it may well kill the event if it gets so expensive that most people can’t afford to attend it, unless you live in or near Nashville.  

Baseball has started, which is a true harbinger of spring and summer.  For some reason, baseball is the only “professional” sport we really watch much.  We never watch pro basketball, rarely watch professional football (until the playoffs) and don’t really watch any other professional sports.

I do like car racing.  For some reason, the past few years I have followed Formula I, and hope I can attend one sometime.  I like NASCAR also, but wish they would adopt a shorter format. 

Doctor appointment this morning, then an “office day” the rest of the day.  Supposed to be, like yesterday, a beautiful Spring day!

That’s it for now, Monday, April 4, 2016.

2016 Spring April 3 Sunday

52 degrees this morning Walk 47:28 minutes

Yesterday it was 42 degrees when I got up, 31 degrees several hours later when we went to eat breakfast and warmed up to almost t shirt levels later in the day.

52 degrees this morning, supposed to get to 80 degrees later today.  Glimpses of Spring!  

To me, April is one of the hardest months because the temperature changes from cold to hot to cold, or at least uncomfortably cool

I can still remember freezing in late June in San Francisco and wondering why in the world anyone would want to live there!  (I actually still feel that way, it is not a place-like many places-I would want to live.)

Speaking of, Aliene and I did some late night grocery shopping the other night in the city we currently live in, since there is a nice grocery store about a mile away.  

We were wondering what was wrong with the lighting, when we realized that it was very subdued lighting and hardly went off the property!

Unlike the city we used to live in  (the city with no planners apparently) where even a small strip mall (with only a donut shop and a nail place) is lit up like an airport landing strip, intruding on the residential homes all around it!  

This is also the mall with the “Sonic from Hell” (24 hour music and a bright video sign on 24 hours a day in spite of the residential area right next to it) and the huge “video billboard” some greed put right in the backyard of some brand new houses.  His excuse “the sign is 50’ away!!!”.    At least we can boycott Sonic, but we can’t really impact the sign company. 

Anyway, we are SO glad we moved to a city where residents are at least semi-acknowledged as being warranted to be protected from intrusions by commercial development and huge  commercial signs (video billboards aren’t allowed anywhere, much less in residential areas).

We try to buy as much as possible in this city, so we don’t support the city with no planning that doesn’t seem to even acknowledge that it has residents.  

Of course this (the city we live now) is a small city (about 90,000 people)  with a tiny downtown and spends a lot of money in “downtown development” that benefits the few at the expense of the many.  At least that that is the way it appears,  I will need to review it more, but I don’t a lot of results, although at least most of the (basically two block) “downtown” is at least filled with small businesses.  (The rest of “downtown” is government buildings which are built to support “downtown’ and providing limited access due to where they are built). 

A few thoughts about the book on philosophy I am listening to.  

One concept is that for change to occur, there has to be some stability, otherwise there can’t really be change.  I can see the point but I am going to have to read up on this a little more.  It seemed to make sense while I was listening to it, but it is a little murky now that I am trying to explain what I heard.  

That is one problem with listening, you really can’t go back and listen to it again (at least not easily) if I miss something or want to hear it again without listening to the entire book again.  

Another thought was that the “potential” for change has to be there before change can occur.  Like many concepts, that makes sense, but you also need to consider what is “potential” and consider if you can recognize “potential” or if is just a fact, that “potential” is always there, so change will occur anyway.  

Maybe the key is that there are a variety of “potentials” and the key is recognizing the “best” potential what is available  

I expect the “potential” for success or failure is always there, in one alternative or another.  

That’s it for now, Sunday, April 3, 2016.

Spring 2016 April 2l, 2016

42 degrees (feels like 36) this morning.  Walk 47;39 minutes

1 3/4 years in this area today.  The time has gone fast, but it seems like lot longer.  Don’t mean that in the bad sense, just the sense that perhaps the past has extended into the present to make it seem like we have been here longer than that.

Also marks 19 months in my current job, which is also difficult to believe.  I think, somewhat like life, I thought I would be an expert in my job by now, but it is just like a lot of things in life, the more I learn, the less I know. 

Apparently that frame of mind comes from realizing from what I learn that I learn enough to realize how much I don’t know!  Or something like that. 

Of course, what makes it difficult in my current job is there is no “google” or simple answers to many of the questions.  Of course, a lot of knowledge I have now is second nature to me and I may not even think about something I used to have to research.  

Of course, by researching it, I also obtain a lot of information I can use.

When I was City Manager for  relatively long periods, I learned the power of knowledge and how some things were just basic information.  

Along with that I was thinking of the importance of “keeping up” with new information and trends in the field you are working at.  Certainly we want our Doctors, legal and financial advisors etc. to keep up with the latest information and trends etc. and, perhaps as important, consider their impact based on their knowledge etc.

Probably this is just as important in air conditioning repair, plumbing electricians etc.  

I think another example of how “continuous improvement”  is so important in all aspects of life.

If you don’t change, you lose your effectiveness.  

We are currently in that phase of trying to select persons we need to work on the house occasionally, everything from sprinklers to HVAC items.  

Experience has though us there are a lot of persons in these areas who do excellent work and many who don’t good work at all.  The important thing is telling the difference!

We had our “family” birthday party last night.  It is basically just to recognize the people who have had birthdays in the past (or future) time frame.  We used to use 3 months as the time frame, now we are using six months since the circumstances have changed so much.

These occasions really provide a yardstick on how fast life is.  Each of the children seem to grow so fast. 

It is almost like you can see the past in the present, time goes so fast and children grow up so fast.  You realize they are now adults, (or for little children, that they have grown so much and learned so many new behaviors.

I guess by looking at the parents you also can see somewhat of the future, although  you never know how things will really turn out.

Another weekend, which I have come to enjoy.  One major change is that in the past a lot of my weekend included working in some fashion.  In my current job, I can’t work on weekends (except for special projects) and I absolutely can’t work over 40 hours per week.

Kind of like being partially retired!

That’s it for now, Saturday, April 2, 2016.  

2016 Spring April1 Friday

43 degrees this morning, walk 47:10 minutes 

2016 is 25% complete and I am wondering where the time went!   It seems like we have been moving the entire time and to some degree we have been.  Either getting ready  to move, moving out, moving or moving in. 

Of course, the moving in process will continue for awhile, although we are making progress and can begin to feel like we are getting close. 

Thinking of the different between renting and owning.  Renting gives you some freedom, as long as you have a decent owner, you don’t need to worry about unexpected costs if something goes out etc. and of course you don’t have to worry about the fees you get all the time from a mortgage, insurance, taxes etc.  

On the other hand, you are free to customize your house as you want.  Also, while you have to worry about taxes etc. going up, your payment basically stays the same.

Of course, most of all, the mortgage interest, tax deduction etc.  provides the basis so you can deduct a lot more off of your income taxes, valuable this time of year!

And, while it isn’t so true anymore, there is always an opportunity you can sell your house for a gain.  

Listening to book on philosophy while I walk.  Interesting, but not really a lot of new ideas for me today.  Thinking about Plato’s concept that democracy is a self-fulfilling disaster since it will eventually self-destruct.

In his version, tyranny comes when, basically what I would call bullies, take over since no wants to confront them.  In his version,  they then start to soak the wealthy, (of course keeping a “bite” of the proceeds for themselves) eventually leading to tyranny.  

What he didn’t see was that the “bullies” in power would start to give everything to the wealthy in return for starting in power plus getting some for themselves.  

I actually don’t believe he is right, I think democracy is somewhat self-correcting with occasional excesses either way.  

In any event, I am going to read up a little more on Philosophy at this time.  I think it is interesting how some of the ideas developed into current culture and behavior.

Another dream.  I like to record them, it seems to help me remember them.  Maybe some day they will make some sense!

Or maybe I will just realize they make no sense and maybe that is the purpose!

3-31-16 Dream

Dreamed in a city, something like Las Vegas or a similar desert City.

The part I remember we were leaving from our hotel to a show.  It was a long trip on a crowded bus and we passed a bunch of large earth moving equipment.

When we got to the area, we went in building  and to see the show we had to climb down a vertical ladder (steps build into the sides of a wall, attached to the wall).  

Somehow Aliene climbed down first.  I was getting ready to climb down and for some reason I had two hats. (One was a Department of Transportation hat, one a Memphis Redbirds hat).   I tossed them down to Aliene.

I woke up as I was getting ready to climb down the steps.  I don’t remember anything else about the dream.

I really wonder about the symbols in the dream (earthmoving equipment, the ladder etc.), but I have no idea what they mean.

That’s it for now, Friday, April 1, 2016.