Another year

It has been a while since my last update. Christmas arrived and departed swiftly this year. I received several thoughtful gifts, which were greatly appreciated. My son gifted me the Hue starter kit, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I can control the lighting remotely using my smartphone or smartwatch. Additionally, my girlfriend’s son-in-law purchased an Amazon Echo for me, which is anticipated to arrive near the end of September.

I also received a homebrew kit for making root beer. I have prepared two batches, and they were satisfactory. The process is more straightforward than I anticipated, but it still requires significant effort and patience. I have identified a supplier for sarsaparilla root and sassafras bark. However, finding wintergreen flavoring proved to be a formidable challenge, but I ultimately succeeded.

Following the holidays, I made an effort to regain control of my life, particularly my health. This was not solely focused on work-related matters, as that has been the primary aspect of my life for the past few years. While this has been a challenging endeavor, I persevered for my own well-being. Life is unpredictable.

In contrast, my average workweek in 2016 was just under 50 hours. Now, the total hours worked are divided by 52, which includes holidays and vacations. I also did not achieve my goal of 100 days off, which includes weekends. My 2017 goal is to average closer to 45 hours per week (or less) and have over 100 days off. Again, the total hours are divided by 52, which includes weekends and vacation time. Things are just hectic!

As many are aware, I tend to be prone to excessive worry. I acknowledge that this is a problem; sometimes, one must accept and live with it. Although it was a good year, the holiday season was challenging. In early December, my son had an accident and broke his knee. It was undoubtedly an unusual accident, but it was particularly gruesome. The most disturbing aspect, to me, was that he did not tear the ACL, but the ACL ripped a portion of the femur out and separated from the femur. Consequently, I had the opportunity to travel to help care for him, and upon my return, I began a small workout routine. The first two weeks were promising, but then things took a turn for the worse.

I experienced severe left foot pain, worse than any I’ve ever had. I considered it a Fifth Metatarsal Fracture, as I had one in the right foot a decade ago, but it feels like personal tendonitis. The pain extends from the ankle to the bone, consistent with an overuse injury. I blame improper training, rapid increases in training volume, and poor footwear. Now, I limp like an old man, unappreciative of the past and future.

Adjusting to my dog ruling the house is also challenging. If I get up at night to use the bathroom, I return to find him sprawled on half the bed. Moving the 50-pound goofball is tiring, and by the time I return to bed, I can’t sleep.

I also went for some photography. My girlfriend bought an excellent sled for her granddaughter, so we headed to the hill on a cold day. Here are some pictures. Note the sled and the cardboard for the adults.

In somber news, I was saddened to learn that another friend committed (or they assume) suicide last month. He was a father of two grown children who had worked diligently to provide for their family. He was able to witness his children achieve their undergraduate degrees, which brought him immense joy. Life appeared to be in good order for him. He, like me, was deeply engrossed in his job. We had discussed his apprehension about losing everything. He felt that he was losing his children, who rarely contacted him due to their demanding schedules.

I understand that his wife requested a divorce, which may have contributed to his tragic decision. However, I am uncertain about the exact circumstances. The funeral took place last Friday, and it was a somber and perplexing day. Today, I read about a 19-year-old Northwestern basketball player (female) who allegedly committed suicide. I will never fully comprehend the reasons behind such a tragic event, yet I occasionally find myself contemplating the possibility of understanding. This situation bears many similarities to aspects of life.

Carry on my friends, carry on!