2016 Summer July 8 Friday

72 degrees this morning, no walk, traveling.

Left St. Louis in heavy rain.  Plane was about an 1 1/2 hour late, although that wasn’t  really a problem for us.  

Their is an air of temporary travelers in the permanency of the airport and the airport workers that always intrigues me.  I wonder what the permanent workers think and how they feel about seeing an entirely new group of travelers on a continuous basis.   I assume they get used to it and don’t think about it.

Flight was “sitting” all the  way, no walking around due to turbulence etc.  Of course, it was only an hour flight.

Landed in Kansas City, the airport I like least due to it’s design.  It is a design that makes it hard to get anywhere and find anything (plus instructions aren’t good).  

The security is also very weird and once you go through security, you are in a small area with no bathrooms etc., so if you want to go to the bathroom, you have to go through security again!  I am surprised they haven’t done something to change that. 

Picked up a rental car (didn’t care for the rental car, but then what else is new!) and drove to the hotel.  

Westport area of Kansas City, which is an interesting and varied part of the city.  Staying at the 816 Hotel, which is a unique hotel in the area.  

One of the reasons (will, the only reason) we stayed at 816 Hotel is it had a  shuttle to the Kansas City Royals baseball game.  We saw another side of life as our seats (I bought them on Stub Hub) were in the “diamond” area, which included seat service etc. and were absolutely wonderful seats.   Better yet, no one was in front of us blocking the view or going in and out in front of  us.  

Many years ago, (actually in 1998) Aliene and I were in San Francisco and we went to a Giants game (they played the Texas Rangers).  Again, we had great seats (maybe better even then last  night), but it was so cold we had to leave early (this was in late June!)  

We didn’t realize that there is almost never a “warm night” in San Francisco, it gets very cold at night even in the summer. 

We are heading west today, by car.  Thus far  our trip has included transportation by plane, train, shuttle bus and car.  

The Courter Reunion is this weekend, something I always look forward too.  Since it is over a weekend, you can just relax and visit, knowing you don’t have to rush to get visits in. 

Had some wild dreams last night. Since the dream was part of my vacation, I’ll go ahead and note it. 

7-8-16 Dream 

Only remember parts of really wild dream.  Dreamed I was going in some kind of bicycle tour, which was long distance.

I keep thinking about starting, but never actually got started.  There was something about signs and a reason for the bicycle ride.

Part of the dream, I was riding down the highway and passed a person on roller blades going down the highway and thought about it being part of the effort, probably anything regarding physical activity.  

Confusing as to why I never got started, I keep waiting for a sign to indicate what I was doing.

Along with that, I dreamed (this was sited at a house we lived in in Waldo, Kansas), that a bunch of people had partied in the back yard (no fence) and left a bunch of beer bottles on the ground.  I talked to the Sheriff about ti and was advised they also did some other illegal things (don’t recall what).

Along with that, I was having cramps in my legs and keep dreaming about getting the right size of jeans (or slacksI).  Not sure what that was about.

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

2016 Summer July 1 Thursday

72 degrees this morning.  No walk, traveling.

In St. Louis, went to St. Louis Cardinals game last night.  

It was an adventure in a way in that we took the “train” to the stadium.  The real adventure came when we took the wrong train back to the hotel and probably took an extra 1 1/2 hours getting back.

I will never be able to say enough about the courtesy, helpfulness and just overall good neighborliness of the St. Louis residents. The residents went out of their way to help us get on the right train etc., almost to the point of taking us by the hand and guiding us to the right train! 

These are residents who had worked hard all day and they took the time to assist us.  We don’t even know their names!

Overall, we were impressed by the overall friendliness etc. of St. Louis residents during our entire stay.  

It just seemed to be a trend.  I’m sure three are a lot of grouches here etc., but we didn’t meet any!  And if do, it will certainly not negate the positive feeling towards the overwhelming number of St Louis residents.  

Onward and westward today, as they say, as we again get on the magic bird and fly west to another city and another adventure.  This isn’t something we could (or at least would) do without Southwest Air and their relatively reasonable one-way fares and an accumulation of “points” from a Southwest Air branded credit card!

I don’t really know what makes one city’s residents “friendly” and helpful and others somewhat the other way.  

Oddly enough, some of the biggest cities, in my experience, (St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, etc). have had the friendliest and most helpful  residents.  If I lived in a cold area that those cities, I’m not sure how friendly I would be!  Of course, we were there in spring, summer and fall when the weather was reasonably nice.  

One thing I try not to do is assume the character or friendliness etc. of a city’s residents from the way people drive.  People are much different once they get out of their car.

Perhaps that is it!  While I have driven in St. Louis (but not for a long time, I have never driven in any of the other cities I mentioned!

There is a definite difference in the way people drive.  Memphis was a much easier city to drive in than where we drive now, the motorists were much more courteous.   The drivers are much more hostile where we live now (again, this is the extremes, and not the majority of the population).  

I realize that people aren’t the same when they are siting in an automobile as when sitting next to you personally, but there still needs to be a reason why there is such a difference.

When we lived in Memphis and came back and forth every six weeks or so, we noticed the difference in driving hostility immediately as we entered the city.  

Another day on the road.  As I discussed yesterday, I enjoy the adventure, but I also miss my house and our routine and even miss my job, that I am not there to help people who need it.  Of course there are plenty of other people who can assist. I’m hardly sorry we are doing this, but there is always that feeling of loss of daily life.  

However, the long time we went without any trips our of town, I also missed the sense of adventure and meeting new people and having unique  experiences.  Perhaps most of all, I miss planning them!  

One thing I don’t miss is packing to move to another hotel etc.  Thank goodness Aliene is a great packer!

That’s it for today, Thursday, July 7, 2016.

2016 Summer July 6 Wednesday

81 Degrees this morning, no walk

Traveling today.  It has been over a year since we have flown, not that we have missed it.  We really like the flexibility of driving, but…..

Actually I like to travel, but I miss the routine of home and work also.  As I have noted before I have to set priorities! I can’t travel if I am going to stay home and vice versa.

Actually, we are going to the Courter Family Reunion, this year we added on a couple of days of travel before we arrive at the reunion. 

Airports are strange places, people going to and from, you wonder where everyone is going.  

We are leaving from a relatively small airport (as metropolitan airports go).

Several hours later:    

The strange thing about flying is now we’re in St. Louis, kind of like magic!

I really think that some day they will perfect “transporting” (I think that is what you call it), kind of like you’re in one place now and “poof”, you’re in another place.  Of course, you have to be able to control where you go, and that probably will be one of the problems that will need to be resolved.

Air travel may be close, but it definitely isn’t there.  

I guess that would really “disrupt” the airline business model!  It probably would depend on whether you could take your bags with you as you “transport” yourself to someplace else.  

Of course, I really think it is impossible, but then I can remember my high school English teacher saying that all of the new products in the future would be invented by “big business” and there wouldn’t be any more independent fortunes made from inventions etc.!  And of course all of the famous comments about computers that have been made over the years.  

I really think the smartphone is probably one of the most influential products ever made, as far as it affects the lives of most people.  I know people who still don’t use computers, but they have a smart phone!  

It is hard to say anything is most influential, when you think about all of the vaccines for “dread diseases”, of course, the computer and especially the personal computer, the automobile etc.  Maybe the automobile would be close to the smart phone (or at least cell phones) as to how it most affected the lives of most individuals.  

The smart phone brings the world to the individual, while the automobile (and air travel) allowed the individual to see the world.  Quite a difference.  

One of those we are hoping it doesn’t rain. We decided to kind of work our way to the Family Reunion by stopping in St. Louis to see the St. Louis Cardinals.  When we lived in Memphis, we went to the AAA Memphis Redbirds games, so many of the “stars” now for St. Louis we saw “grow up” in Memphis, so we kind of feel like we know them!  

Before that we weren’t really St. Louis Cardinal fans (at least second to the Chicago Cubs),  Now we are kind of equal, and we almost hate to see them play each other because we don’t want either team to lose!

Unfortunately it is raining in St. Louis, and has been raining for the past several days.  However, the rain is supposed to stop around 3 p.m., which is well before game time.  We are going to take the “train” from the airport to the ball field, just for the fun of it.  

That’s it for now, Wednesday, July 6, 2016!.  

2016 Summer July 5Tuesday

2016 Summer July 5 Tuesday

79 degrees this morning, Walk 36:46 minutes

A great July 4th weekend and I didn’t even see any fireworks, watch any parades etc!  I did eat plenty of hot dogs, hamburgers etc. and enjoyed visiting!  

Taking my bicycle into the shop for a tune-up and also to find out what a “clunk” sound is in the front wheel at certain times.  The “clunk” gets worse when climb hills etc, so I have no idea  what may cause the sound or what  the problem is.  

As usual with bicycles, the biggest problems is getting the  bike to and from the shop.  Although I didn’t discover it until I finally got the bike loaded up, I found a shop who will pick up and deliver to this area!  No price mentioned, so I’ll have to check on that.  

It is kind of a surprise to realize that the bicycle is 10 years old this year.  It has been a good bike,  there haven’t been any major problems other than maybe some self-inflicted ones.  I did buy new tires, called “armadillos”  (because they are supposed to be almost puncture proof) and haven’t had any flats since.  

I don’t like the distance between the seat and the handlebars (it is hard to explain except to another bike rider) and the next bike I get I am going to make sure that is a little further, I will be more comfortable.  

Also, I don’t want a “motorized” bike, but I would like to get a “pedal assist” bike when some of the hills get to be a little too much!

I have always thought if “I don’t bike up the hills now I never will be able to bike up the hills”, which I have found to be very true.  

As I biked up hills and against the wind etc, I gradually found it got much easier and hills I dreaded at first became easier.  Maybe never easy, but at least I did’t dread them quite so much and found it easier to peddle up the hills as time went on.

The big problem I see with “pedal assist” is that you will never be challenged by the hills so you won’t train yourself to bike up them.  However, at my age, I’m not sure that I”m going worry about that!  I will just be glad to be able to bike up the hills I can.

Also, I think the “pedal assist”  (if I understand how it works) will expand my bicycling alternatives a lot, which is important to me.

In spite of being in a “bicycle and walking friendly” city, Aliene and I discovered that there are still major gaps in the system.  

We went out yesterday to see if I could ride the bike 4 miles to the nearest bicycle shop.  It was “possible”, but not without a lot of ‘adjustments” and the last half mile was almost impossible, although we finally figured out a route if I went through some parking lots etc.  

The number of people biking and walking in just the area we live in is amazing.  It seems if they all got  together and voted…..  

What is more surprising is the attitude of some of the elected officials (including the Mayor or the “central city” of the metro area that “people don’t use sidewalks”.  

All they have to do is open their eyes and they will see people bicycling, walking etc.  If there aren’t any sidewalks, or they are overgrown etc.,  yes, you probably won’t see many people out walking and bicycling in that neighborhood!

For the next several days, postings may be a little more random and possibly much later than normal.  I”ll explain as events unfold.  

That’s it for now, Tuesday, July 5, 2016.  

2016 Summer July 4 Monday

77 degrees this morning, walk 37:18 minutes.  

July 4!  Overall it has been a good weekend, and I expect today will be good also.  

For the next three years, Independence Day will be a week day, one day, holiday.  While I enjoy the three day holiday, I also enjoy the “one” day holidays that are in the middle of the week.  I think Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas and New Year Holidays are the only ones that are in the middle of the week any more.

Actually, I didn’t realize five of the “Holiday” days could be in the middle of the week until I wrote that.  

Overall nice rain yesterday in our area. Probably not enough to really help the trees, bushes and grass, but every bit helps.  

Read a story yesterday about “private equity”.  To show their influence, legislation (at both the state and national levels) was considered, to make “private equity” be more “transparent”   (becoming an overused word), especially when public or retirement funds are involved.    

Of course, instead of “private equity” becoming MORE transparent so that employees would know what exorbitant fees their retirement plans are paying, the private equity funds “lobbied” (paid off) the “elected officials” so now they can be even more secret about their high fees than they were before!  

While that falls into the category of “not much I can do about it”, I still feel like I have to at least state my opinion on that!

Back to “time efficiency”, I am always trying to make my time more efficient, especially in the early morning hours 

I have been taking my walk, doing my exercises, then taking a shower before I write in my journal.  They I take a nap, ride by bike and take another shower

Of course, it would be  more efficient, everything else being equal, to wait and take a shower after I bike and skip the shower immediately after I walk.  Obviously I feel better if I take a shower after I walk, so I guess you could say I have been making quality (feeling better) over efficiency (saving time by taking only one show after I bike).  

While it sounds like a simple plan, saving 20 minutes or so by only taking one shower, the importance of the quality of the next hour or so from taking the shower right after my walk (especially in this hot weather) is especially high.  

This morning I decided to to test my theory by not taking a shower until after my bike ride.  I’ll see what happens and decide if it is worth it to take the shower right after I walk.  

One consideration is the shower after my walk is my “main shower” (I shave, brush my teeth etc. then), so actually I’m not wasting a lot of time on my second shower, since I just take a quick shower.  

I also got the chance to swim last night, although normally I take a shower after I swim also, so I guess this shower after my bike ride this morning will make up for two other showers!

I am pleased that, just like my walk and weight exercises, riding my bike is just becoming another part of my day.  Probably riding when it is cooler was a good idea at least at first.  

Of course, for years, I rode my bike only in the dark and almost never in the light except perhaps on weekends  

Looking forward to the Independence Day holiday today.  Hope everyone was a wonderful and enjoyable July 4!

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

2016 Summer July 3 Sunday

2016 Summer July 3 Sunday

80 degrees this morning, walk 29:26 minutes (lightning, followed by increasing thunder shortened walk)

Started walk this morning, saw some distant lighting, which I won’t too worried about.  However, when I could hear the thunder, I did an about face and started home!  

It rained a short welcome rain (since our sprinkler system is out), but really just enough to ruin my sitting on the patio.

That would be ok, but the cable tv connection in the room I use if I”m not on the patio is out.  Good old Cox cable, “maximizing value to the shareholders” by minimizing  service to the customer and charging “fees” which they can’t explain when you call up to ask what they are!

The main problem is just the time involved in contacting them about the numerous problems their system has.  Then they want to do all kinds of stuff over the phone before they’ll finally send someone out.

It was actually a very short rain, I hoped for more, since it will probably be anther week before our sprinkler system is fixed.

Wasn’t sure if I was going to do my weights today (sore from moving stuff, not my move fortunately!), but my barbell and weight exercises went ok anyway.

My laptop computer warranty (actually the extended warranty) goes out in early August.  I am going to get the keyboard looked at (the space bar doesn’t always seem to work) but other than than, I don’t see any sense in buying a new one.  

Apple Computer shut down the “one to one” program, which is the only  reason I bought a new computer  every three years.  Apple seems to have a case of shooting themselves in the foot sometimes.  

I really doubt I’ll buy another Apple computer until they come out with a touch screen.  I do plan on buying an iPod Pro when the new upgrade comes out.  I really doubt that it will substitute for a laptop, but you never know.  My regular iPad has served well in a pinch.

I think it is a case of the convenience of a true laptop being worth the money over a period of 3 to 5 years

I have to wonder why many of the “apps” available for the iPhone and iPad aren’t available on the laptop.  It seems if they truly wanted to provide a “seamless” (to use an overused word) experience, the same apps would be available for all the devices,.  

That probably makes too much sense!  

We are trying to decide if we want to join Golds Gym.  We are very disappointed in the YMCA, we feel like they should have advised of the limitations in the swimming pool before we joined.  Obviously this YMCA has other priorities.

Also very disappointed in the City for being hornswoggled by the school and the YMCA into participating in a project which does nothing for the residents, in fact, it hurts the residents who are “regular members”.  

At least it makes it simple when the YMCA asks for a donation of any type in the future, it will be an automatic “no”. 

Almost the middle of the three day July 4 holiday.  We have several  family gatherings we plan to attend, which will be nice.  

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

2016 Summer July 2 Saturday

78 degrees this morning.  No walk.  (Helping move, so conserving my energy, or maybe my muscles!)

Today marks 2 years here and 1 year 10 months in my job.  Relatively speaking, we are happy about both, although there are certainly things we miss and things we  definitely don’t like about this area.

But then, there are a lot of things we like, so it definitely is a trade off.

Starting to look for another exercise place, since the YMCA is obviously not interested in serving it’s members, they have other objectives.

I am pleased to note that my plan on bike riding is working somewhat in that I am feeling stronger each day, or at least my legs are feeling stronger each day as I go up hills.  

Hills that used to really challenge me are now much easier.  The good part is I am staring to look froward to my bike ride each morning.  

I also look froward to my walk and actually feel a little disoriented when I don’t walk, although a break of a day or so is nice.  

I have noticed that when I take a break from weights, it is especially good.  I usually don’’t take more than a break of more than one day, unless it is raining, we are traveling etc.

I think walking and bike riding (or any such exercise) provides an opportunity to take a break from the every day routine as well as providing physical exercise.  

We looked at “Golds Gym” last night.  There is one just a short distance from our house (a little longer than the YMCA but not much) and another one that is open 24 hours not too much further away. 

The 24 hour schedule would be valuable in the winter.  

They have a lot of of exercise opportunities, classes etc. and a small swimming pool.  The machines etc. are much nicer than the YMCAj. The pool isn’t as nice, but that is understandable. 

On the other hand, we are debating if we even need a membership in a gym/YMCA etc.  Our HOA actually has a small workout room, although they don’t have the type of exercise bike I like or any of the exercise machines I want to start on.  

The Golds Gym members in the weight area  were impressive to say the least. Probably anyone who works out on a Friday night is very dedicated! 

I continue to be amazed at the sub-animals who blow themselves up and/or kill people for no reason.  What I really wonder about is why they  the news media says they “take credit” for there sub-animal actions, they should say they are “blamed”.  Somehow using the words “take credit” just does’t seem right.  

We have a fairly large toad that has set in out yard for number of years now.  (We actually mouth it in Hot Springs Arkansas). It makes for a unique decoration.  

It is sitting in our back patio now (where I am writing this).  I wonder what other animals think of it, if they  realize it is simply a work of art (so to speak) or if they think it is a large toad?

We actually have a “night toad” again that hangs out under the outside light watching for bugs.  I wish it success.  

The start of a three day weekend.  I always look forward to a three day weekend and try not to schedule so much I don’t get a chance just to hang out!

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

2016 Summer July 1 Friday

77 degrees this morning, walk 36:22 minutes

July 1 could be considered as the “half year”.  Actually I am so used to dealing with cities (and now a state) where July 1 marked the new fiscal year, I almost think of it as a new year.  

Tomorrow will mark two years in  what I consider as the “official” move date, although June 24 is probably more like it  

Hopefully someone will come to look at the sprinkler system today.  We’ll see.  

Listening to War and Peace, I realize I am following the characters, but probably don’t have a good grasp as to the overall theme of the book.

Kind of like seeing the trees and not the forest, although in this case, it may be hearing the trees and not the forest!

I expect seeing/understanding/hearing the trees and not the forest is a common problem.  Or the problem could be the other way, where you don’t see the trees but can see the forest.

For example, I can follow most of the characters and families relatively well as they move throughout the book.  However, I couldn’t really tell you the overall theme of the book or how the individual characters relate to the overall objective of the book.

Kind of like putting a puzzle together with pieces that are a complete picture, but you try to fit each piece into the overall puzzle so you can see the larger picture.

I don’t know that either way is better.  

It seems the best thing is to be able to see the forest and the trees and how they interrelate to and how the trees contribute to the overall forest.  

However, perhaps where I would like to be, even if you can’t see both the trees and the forest, I’d like to be able to at least realize the trees impact the forest and vice-versa.

Kind of like when I was in the Air Force and suddenly realized that the supervisors were reasonably supportive etc. because if I looked good, they looked good.  

If you have a bad supervisor (in any organization), it will impact your work  and the overall organization, if you are reasonably diligent and work hard, you also impact the organization, which in return may impact you.  

I guess that could be a discussion which could go around and around forever!  

However, the overall concept is that everything affects everything else. 

I always enjoyed the song “No man is an island” and thought it was so true, similar somewhat to Robert Frost and “The Road Not Taken”.  Every action is a part of an overall picture.

It was interesting to note that some historians (at least as stated in War and Peace) attribute the fact that the French did not successfully invade Moscow because Napoleon had a head cold and may not have been at his best.  

I have heard the same about Gettysburg, that if General Lee had been feeling better he may not have made the decisions he made, which could have impacted the battle and the Civil War could have turned out different.  

Perhaps a true genius knows when not feeling well and either has somewhat else make the decisions or somehow takes into account how they are feeling and how it may affect decision making.

Last day before a 3-day weekend.  I always enjoy 3-day weekends, especially the “holiday” part.

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