November 2012

60 Minutes.

I have been struggling with getting to the gym the last couple of days. As I write that sentence, I’m not sure that “struggling” is the right word to use but it’s the first word that comes to mind, so that’s what I’ll go with.

I think going to the gym and doing my thing on the elliptical machine alongside two dozen or so other people is running against my somewhat loner/introverted nature. On one hand, I like going to the gym because there is something to look at; there’s plenty of televisions thrust all over the place, there are people of all shapes and sizes and types milling about doing they’re thing. It surely beats working out in the basement and looking at nothing but cinder block walls, but there’s still something about going to the gym that feels invasive to me.

Perhaps I need a little bit of alone time one night this week.

One of the beautiful things about being a cyclist is that I get to see the world at a slower pace, under my own power, and under my own terms and from my own space. The last time I rode bike with another person was when I rode with our friend Thom in Virginia back in 2009. I liked riding with Thom, he’s a good guy, but for the most part there’s not a lot of people that I would want to ride with. My whole “space” kind of works that way. I like being alone and there’s very few people that I can feel comfortable being alone with. I know that doesn’t make sense if you think about it broadly, but that’s just the way my mind works.

Another one of the issues I have with working out at the gym is that there are reminders all over the place as to how much time has passed. There’s a clock hanging on every wall (which aren’t in sync and kind of makes me a little crazy) and the elliptical machines have a display showing how much time you’ve been doing your thing. The timer is in a location whereas it can’t be easily covered with a book or something. The other night I tried working out with my eyes closed but then I got into a song I was listening to and I was worried that I was swaying around like Stevie Wonder. I’m odd, but I don’t want to be perceived as strange.

It’s the first 10 minutes of working out at the gym that I dread. Once that timer that refuses to be obscured is in the double digits I start to feel a little better. Once I’m beyond the 30 minute mark I feel like I might be onto something. It’s not until the last three minutes of working out that I am actually enjoying myself. But the truth of the whole thing is, I really like how I feel after I work out. And that’s what keeps me motivated. It’s how I feel after 60 minutes of feeling overwhelmed, bored and frustrated all at once and I don’t think the elated feelings come from finishing the workout, I think it’s a boost in self-confidence fueled by the fact that I just got something done when I could have easily said no.

So I’ll keep doing this 60 minute workout routine thing until cycling season returns to The Empire State. I need skis for my bike.

13 November 2012 by Fitness. 4

The Unknown.

There is a fear running rampant through our merry little household. It is a fear that has gripped this tiny bit of existence for the past several years and quite frankly, something has to be done about it.

People are afraid to open the dishwasher.

Now, opening the dishwasher involves a little bit of a commitment. Not only does one have to put dishes into the dishwasher (that’s what they usually do when they open the dishwasher), but one also runs the very insane risk of finding out that the dishes that are currently in the dishwasher are clean.

The horror.

Because of the wild advances in appliance technology (nothing says “welcome to the 21st century” like having to reboot your dishwasher), there’s no escaping the fact that if you open the dishwasher when the dishes inside it are clean, you’re going to make the little “clean” indicator light go out and then the Magic Fairy that flies around the house is going to know that someone opened the dishwasher. Because you see, if the dishes in the dishwasher are clean and the “clean” indicator is off, then the Magic Fairy will know that someone was unwilling to commit the time needed to empty the dishwasher. It’s apparently the Magic Fairy’s job. Though the Magic Fairy will not say anything, audible sighs will probably be heard and their will be an air of guilt about the house until someone confesses to this act of neglect.

Since that “clean” indicator on the front of the dishwasher strikes terror in some occupants of this house, it has been decided (most likely through a secret vote) that it’s easier just to pile the dishes in the sink, on the television, under the couch, in the back bedroom or over the litter box. At no time will a dirty dish approach a dishwasher with the “clean” indicator illuminated, for the aforementioned time obligation involved with opening the dishwasher after it has been rebooted and done it’s thing.

Be very afraid.

13 November 2012 by Why. 4

Monday.

I am having a serious craving for Chipotle right now. I don’t know where the closest Chipotle is because I’m at work today and I’ve never Googled such a thing, but the fact of the matter is, I could really use some Chipotle. Complete with taco chips and a little bit of cheese. And maybe a beer. Ha, I typed bear before typing beer. I could use a bear too. He wears the same wedding ring I wear.

Where was I? Oh yes, Monday. Since selling the iPad and using my laptop full-time on the road, I have been struggling a little bit with the placement of the laptop while sitting in the Jeep. I am elated because I suddenly realized that I didn’t have to sit in the driver’s seat, I could sit in the passenger’s seat and have much more room on my lap. So that’s what I’ve done. It feels weird sitting in the passenger seat of my beloved Jeep, but the laptop can now comfortably sit on my lap and all is right with the world. It’s the little things that make a big difference.

The weather is gorgeous. It is currently 72F and fairly sunny here in the foothills of the Adirondacks. The day is flying by and people are canceling meetings left and right because it’s a holiday here in the United States. Our work never stops, though, so no holiday for us. I do thank the men and women that have served our country at time of war, though. I find their efforts to be inspiring. I wish that I was young enough to serve in some capacity because I would seriously consider that opportunity today.

The only frustrating part of today is the fact that because it’s so gorgeous outside, I really want to go for a bike ride. After my excellent ride yesterday, I’m feeling the need to enjoy some fresh air. I guess I’ll go for a walk instead.

12 November 2012 by Fun and Games Dept 3

Structure.

So last night Earl and I got home from our ride (it took a full tank of gas for our “short ride”) and I promptly sat down at the computer and started writing some code. While we made our way down the darkened back roads, my mind wandered a little bit. This is a good thing.

One of the things I need to do to keep my life organized is maintain a ToDo list. I’ve tried several different programs over the years and have tried a different couple of approaches to maintaining a ToDo list and sometime last week I decided that I needed to Keep It Simple. I maintain my ToDo list in a flat text file that can be accessed by any computer or my iPhone. If I still had a tablet, I could get to it from there as well

The mechanics of my ToDo list are detailed on my geek blog. The reason I bring this is up here is because of the fact that I have to have a ToDo list to begin with.

As I get older, I find that I forget various things that I have to do. I can recite the name of every service area on the Thruway, in either direction, in order. I can tell you the SKU (inventory number) of a candy bar if purchased from the old department store chain, Ames, but I’ll be damned if I can remember the tasks I need to get done, especially when it comes to work stuff. I don’t know if it’s from the sheer volume of things that I need to do or some sort of disinterest in the whole ordeal (we’ll examine that at a later date), but the fact of the matter is, if I think of something, I need to write it down. Stat. Or else it’s going to be a long lost memory within 10 minutes.

Another reason for my ToDo list motivation. I need to have structure in my life. If I deviate from a routine (for example, the order of events in which I get ready to head for the office in the morning), it can end up in chaos. It makes me nervous. Structure is important to me, and achieving things that are done on a routine basis makes me feel better. For example, I have a couple of obvious “structure” based things on my electronic ToDo list:

Make the bed due:Daily +Structure
Shave due:daily +Structure
Find the humor in every situation due:Daily +Structure

The last one is courtesy of speaker Jeanne Robertson. She’s the humorist that was recently touted as “Grandma Goes Viral!”. Jeanne has been speaking at corporate gatherings and the like for years, telling very funny stories as a way to urge the audience to always find the humor in a situation. You’ll be much better for it if you do.

I need that reminder every day so I don’t get wrapped up in a negative frame of mind. It works well for me.

The other two on my list are purely structure things that help me stay on track for the day. I hate getting into an unmade bed at night. It’s not comfortable. It feels like an incomplete way to end the day. So the bed gets made every morning as soon as it’s empty and, barring any of the dozens of houseboys that pass through the doors of our house, I make the bed. I’ve done it for years. It’s the first sense of accomplishment I usually feel during the day and it’s a good way to get the day started on the right foot.

The task of “shave” every day is important to me. Shaving makes me feel good and “groomed”. I feel like I’m presenting my best look to the world when I’m cleaned up and ready to take on the events of the day. Even if I have a beard at the time, I still shave around it every day. This is my attempt to put my best face forward and it works. I think sticking to this has helped me with my recent weight loss. I feel better about myself and shaving and looking my best helps me want to feel even better about myself.

I’ve been focusing on this structured approach much more since my birthday in July and I feel that I am a better person for it. Now, this need for structure is definitely a part of my eccentric tendencies (which I think I’m going to start writing about more) but I think it’s a harmless need. It’s important that we all be who we are to the best of our ability.

And that’s exactly what I’m doing.

11 November 2012 by Ponderings and Musings Quirky. 2

Simple.

Be who you are
and say what you feel,
because those who
mind don’t matter
and those who matter
don’t mind.
-Dr. Seuss

11 November 2012 by Fun and Games Dept 0

Stopped.

So Earl worked this morning and I did some routine stuff for work (it’s an on-call weekend). We did our obligatory workout at the gym and then when we got home, we looked at each other and wondered what we wanted to do for the rest of the day. I wasn’t really in the mood to sit at home; the weather being quite nice for this time of the year, so we decided to go for a ride. Armed with two computers (one personal, one for work) and a cell phone, a husband (and his cell phone and computer) we hit the road and headed north.

I decided to take some back roads through the Tug Hill Plateau and then climbed up into the Maple Ridge Wind Farm, where I snapped a new photo to commemorate my favorite road to drive in Upstate New York.

We then made our way up to north of Watertown, where I wanted to be a complete geek and check to progress of Interstate 781.

We are now stopped at a Panera, where we are enjoying a tea and splitting an oatmeal cookie. We are not ready to eat supper yet, that will come along in another city along this ride, but for now we are content. Actually, we’d really be content if the wi-fi at Panera was actually functional. This crazy “maybe it will, maybe it won’t” approach to wi-fi doesn’t really lend itself to building consumer confidence in technology.

10 November 2012 by Fun and Games Dept 3

Manners.

I just went to my formerly favorite Dunkin’ Donuts for an unsweetened iced tea with lemon. As mentioned in a previous post, this DD now has an all new lunchtime staff, and since I’m no longer here on a routine basis, they don’t know me or my usual order. I can handle that.

What I can’t handle is when I’m handed the unsweetened iced tea with lemon and I say “Thank you”, the clerk responds with “No problem.” No problem? I just made a purchase that contributed to your paycheck and you respond with no problem?

If my grandfather or father were alive and that happened in the family store, we’d be scolded to the brink of tears (by my grandfather) or to a very uncomfortable silence of disappointment (by my father).

I have prefaced quite a few Facebook statuses with “I might be getting old…” lately but I am really starting to think that I am one of those old people that talks about the good old days. While I find canned phrases such as “Thank you for shopping at wonderful Hills” to be absolutely ridiculous, I do expect cashiers and the like to say “Thank you” on behalf of the retailer that employs them. The truth of the matter is, I should be happy that they haven’t spit in my tea, but I find it very disheartening when I hear “no problem” in response to someone doing their job. Maybe I’ve watched too much Downton Abbey lately and my head is stuck in the early 20th century, but I am feeling increasingly obsolete with my expectations and ways and quite frankly it disappointing to me.

Earl says I worry about little stuff too much. I think that when you have a million cases of “little stuff” to worry about, you have a whole bunch of big stuff to worry about because all of the little stuff was a symptom of a bigger problem.

Thank you for reading this.

8 November 2012 by Fun and Games Dept 6

Future.

Earl and I were talking about employment options last night and he mentioned that I’ve gotten to that age where I need to always keep my retirement under serious consideration. He is a wise man and that is a very true statement. One of the best gifts he has ever given me was on my 30th birthday where he insisted that I start a Roth IRA. Luckily, I’ve been saving up for retirement since then through various means. However, last night he mentioned that I need to always keep in my pension in mind.

That’s when I broke it to him that I don’t get a pension with my current job. I think he paled a little. When I reminded him of my 401K, the color returned to his cheeks.

The truth of the matter is that I don’t have wide sweeping plans for retirement. Since it’s probably over 20 years away, it’s not something I give a lot of thought to, but when I do think of my “sunset years”, I tend to go with what I know: rural location, no neighbors, comfortably sized mobile home. Flat terrain would be best. Something like Kansas or Oklahoma. After all, living in a mobile home in the middle of Kansas or Oklahoma would give my life just enough zing to keep it interesting. I might travel once in a while but right now I feel no need to travel the world. I’d rather we do that when we are adequately funded and still young enough to climb a mountain or jump off a waterfall.

Earl really pales with any mention of living in a trailer but I think it’s because it’s way outside of his paradigm. The only time he’s mentioned that it might be acceptable was after we visited my godparents in their retirement village in Florida. I don’t see me living in a retirement village (I’m really not that fond of people) but at least he saw that downsizing to something like that could be an option.

I guess we’ll just have to see what the future brings.

8 November 2012 by Ponderings and Musings 3

Forward.

So last night Earl, Jamie and I sat down and watched the election results on CNN. They certainly love their touchscreens and other wizbang gadgetry on CNN. Maps were flying around, things were being touched, colors were pulsating and Wolf Blitzer even donned a pair of hipster glasses to bring a certain serious frivolity to the numbers that were streaming in. I mentioned on my Facebook stream that it’s not really an election result unless it’s accompanied by a couple of Orchestral Hits, preferably the first being in the key C and the second being in the key of D. I did notice that CNN did not try to make like Princess Leia this time around and skipped the whole hologram thing that they were doing the last Presidential election. I was a little surprised by that.

As we watched the results, I followed the Twitterverse as well, and I started seeing more and more mentions of ABC’s Diane Sawyer acting somewhat drunk. Unfortunately, every time we cut to ABC to take a look, they had cut to commercial. One can only assume they did this so that Diane could top of her glass of chardonnay. This morning I found some video and it appears that when Diane was touching base with the journalists in the field, they were struggling to maintain their composure on the air as she asked about important things such as exclamation points and the lack of music for their projection announcements (apparently CNN had used up all the orchestral hits).

Diane’s frivolity aside, it was good to see that the American people chose the better of the two candidates to lead us for the next four years. I’m interested to see how President Obama does now that he doesn’t have to worry about getting reelected. I’m hoping that he’ll be able to accomplish good things for the entire country.

Speaking of which, I was REALLY happy to see that Maryland and Maine approved same sex marriage via ballot last night (w00t!) and Minnesota struck down a referendum that would have narrowly defined marriage to a union between a man and a woman. As of this writing, we are still awaiting the results of the Washington State vote.

One thing that didn’t get a lot of mentions last night was that the people of Puerto Rico voted 65% in favor of becoming a full state of the United States. President Obama has said that he would respect that vote and ultimately it’s up to Congress to make the call, but historically Congress has never turned that sort of thing down. I think it would make for an interesting flag design.

I think the next four years are going to be very interesting and I’m hoping that we will see some forward progress on many fronts. I am delighted that it’s the end of campaign season for a week or two and am feeling pretty good about it all today. Better choices were made, and that’s what’s important.

Let’s keep moving Forward.

Here’s a compilation video of Diane’s apparent drunkenness last night.

7 November 2012 by Equality Politics. 4

About J.P.

Just a guy with a husband. We’ve been together 28 years and he still makes me see fireworks on a daily basis. Hiker. Storm Chaser. Private Pilot. Tech Guy. Hackerish.

Weird? Eccentric!

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