Just under 200 hours

It’s been a while again. I must create more entries. Writing down thoughts is beneficial for mental well-being, but as I age and become more fatigued, life becomes increasingly complex and challenging. The toxic work environment I’m in has reached an unacceptable level. Despite these difficulties, I’ve decided to count down to 1,000 calendar days before retiring, which leaves me with about 500 days. In the meantime, I find solace in singing the iconic Gloria Gaynor song, “I Will Survive.”

I don't trust technology, yet I purchased a program called Weltory for my Apple Watch.  It provides feedback about four times each day. To the right is a typical reading.

I need to remember that tying my identity to work is dangerous. My career doesn’t define me, but connecting it to my identity makes my successes and failures affect my self-worth. I’ve become so embedded in my 28-year tenure that it controls me. This wasn’t an issue for 22 years, but when it became toxic, the health impacts increased exponentially.

Toxicity negatively impacts mental, physical, and emotional well-being, leading to increased stress, fear of depression, and burnout. Despite nearing retirement, I can’t quit immediately. I’m developing healthy coping strategies, including a five-day vacation to visit my son in North Carolina. I’ve logged in for only two days, working 6-8 hours daily. I’ve taken time away before logging in remotely, including weekends, and it’s been refreshing.

However, I also recall a great quote by Banana Yoshimoto:

"As I grow older, much older, I will experience many things, and I will hit rock bottom again and again. Again and again, I will suffer; again and again, I will get back on my feet. I will not be defeated. I won't let my spirit be destroyed."

I also recall Robin Williams's wise and sad words: 

"I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It's not! The worst thing in life is ending up with people who make you feel alone." My employment experience has made me feel so alone!

In other stress-reduction efforts, I completed my 45-mile Thanksgiving Day bike ride and passed the 3,000-mile mark, riding just under 200 hours in 2022.  In 2019, I logged 3,542 miles in 233 hours, which was above 3,000. So, a nice increase over 2020 and 2021, where I did not top 2,000 miles in either year. In 2019, I completed 3542 miles in 213 hours. I am still determining my 2023 goals, but topping 4,000 miles would be nice. Compared to my son, who will top 12,000 miles on the bike in 2022, 4,000 does not look impressive, but it would be an achievement for an old, tired, and worn-out man.

Here is to putting words into a form that can be recalled.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

If you need help understanding why I end my posts with carry-on, click the link and read the history.

Comparisons

When individuals perceive my analogies as inaccurate, they often compare them to apples and oranges. However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that apples and oranges share several similarities. Both are fruits, exhibit a round shape, possess a mildly tangy flavor, and have comparable fluid content. Additionally, they are approximately the same size and grow on trees. Consequently, it can be argued that the adage “apples and oranges” is not an analogy.

I’ve struggled with weight management throughout my life. In 2022, I adopted a whole-foods, regular exercise, reduced-sugar, and processed-food-avoidance lifestyle. This led to a 14-pound loss. However, consistent physical activity is crucial for weight loss. Unlike my brother, who doesn’t have weight issues, I can eat three times as much as he does without gaining weight. Despite researching, I’m seeking professional help to understand this phenomenon.

The concept of seeking help raises questions about the appropriate avenues to explore. Should I consult a nutritionist, seek expertise in metabolism, or visit a medical doctor or therapist? In the past, I sought guidance from a nutritionist who acknowledged my exceptional eating habits. Nevertheless, my calorie intake increased from 2,000 per day to 2,400. While the consensus is that weight loss necessitates a caloric deficit achieved through reduced calorie intake and increased physical activity, this principle does not apply to my current situation. I suspect that my metabolism is compromised and requires a more intricate approach.

Metabolism adapts to optimize energy expenditure. Some people reduce their reliance on fuel by adopting more consistent, balanced meal patterns and prioritizing high-quality nutrition. I experience persistent fatigue, low energy, sleep disturbances, intense hunger, and difficulty losing weight. Individuals often resort to extreme dietary practices such as keto, low-carb diets, fasting, or other drastic measures to alleviate the post-holiday sugar rush and associated feelings of discomfort. This approach, akin to a pendulum swing, is detrimental to health and negatively impacts metabolism.

Furthermore, these extreme diets are not conducive to long-term well-being and do not provide sustained satisfaction. What are the most suitable dietary options for maintaining a healthy lifestyle? Can a shake program be a viable long-term solution? Are Whole 30, Paleo, or Keto diets sustainable choices? Many individuals express a desire to abandon these restrictive diets in favor of their preferred foods.

Social media platforms, particularly Instagram and weight-loss classes, often promote protein and strength training as essential components of a healthy lifestyle. However, it is crucial to clarify the effectiveness of these practices. I intend to conduct thorough research to identify the most appropriate dietary approach. It is important to note that weight loss programs can be complex and may not be suitable for everyone.

I am going to research the best option. It may confuse me, as weight loss programs are like comparing apples and oranges!

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Nice Ride

Guess what? I bicycled to work today without getting soaked by the rain! But, oh my goodness, it was just perfect timing—the rain started as soon as I pulled into the garage after work! I’m not a fan of riding in the rain for safety reasons.

After today, I’ve logged a whopping 1,429.1 miles in 83 hours of riding, which averages 17.21 MPH! I know that might sound fast, but with the e-bike, it’s a breeze. When I’m riding the e-bike, I set my Garmin to buzz my watch if my heart rate drops below 110 BPM or rises above 140 BPM. I then adjust the assist accordingly. So far, my average heart rate is 127 BPM, which means I still get a great workout on my 40-minute commute. In the summer months, I commute by bike almost three times as much as by car. I haven’t noticed any gas price increases, as it’s been over a month since I last filled up my car.

I’m planning to ride again tomorrow and hope to ride every day this week. The weather might throw a wrench in that plan, though. 

I’ll end with a story about never giving up!

When things get hard, persevere through adversity. Many people give up on their dreams because the work becomes too difficult, tedious, or tiresome–but often, you're closer to the finish line than you may think, and if you push just a little harder, you will succeed.

During the gold rush, a man who had been mining in Colorado for several months quit his job. He had yet to strike gold, and the work was becoming tiresome. So he sold his equipment to another man, who resumed mining where he had left off. 

The new miner's engineer advised him that gold was only three feet from where the first miner stopped digging.  The engineer was right, which means the first miner was a mere three feet away from striking gold before he quit.

The Moral:

When things start to get hard, try to persevere through adversity.  Many people give up on their dreams because the work becomes too difficult, tedious, or tiresome–but often, you're closer to the finish line than you may think, and if you push just a little more complicated, you will succeed.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

New bike?

In my garage, I have 13 bicycles. Two belong to my son, two are Shelley's, five are Shelley’s grandchildren, and four are mine. Among these, I own two Surly Long Haul Truckers. One is an electric-assist bicycle equipped with the Bionx D500 kit installed in 2015, while the other is designed for riding without electric assistance. Additionally, I have my original Cannondale SR400 from the 1980s and my Juiced RipCurrent S fat-tire bike. The Bionx has accumulated approximately 12,000 miles and is experiencing intermittent issues. The Juiced Bike has approximately 4,000 miles on it, and I can tell the motor is getting less effective; it may be near the end of its life. Bionx employs a brushless system, whereas the Juiced uses a Bafang brushless geared motor, which rarely exceeds 5,000 miles.

My friend and I acquired the Bionx D500 kits simultaneously. Last year, his Bionx failed at approximately 4,500 miles. Since Bionx declared bankruptcy in 2018, obtaining repairs has become impossible. I have approximately 10,000 miles on my Bionx and anticipate that it may be nearing the end of its lifespan. Consequently, I decided to seek a reliable bicycle on sale.

I was fortunate to discover a Diamondback Current as a replacement for the Bionx. Tomorrow will mark the commencement of my first long ride, and I am hopeful that it will be an appropriate choice. I acquired the bike at a substantial discount of $12,000! It is challenging to resist the allure of the Bosch Performance Line CX motor and its accompanying components.

LHT with Bionx	LHT
Juiced Rip Current	Diamondback Current

Let me see how it goes. So now I have 14 bikes in the garage, five of which are mine: three electric and two non-electric.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Six month's later

I need to improve my writing frequency, crazy how time flies. I miss frequently expressing my thoughts, not just for others, but for my mental health. Frustration arises daily from our country’s division. Many know Trump is a bully who lies, cheats, and manipulates. Some friends refuse to talk to me because of this. My co-worker, however, believes Trump is the savior. We often speak, and I accept her position, though I may never understand it. Unfortunately, this is no longer the norm in society.

After volunteering at races, I stopped because of the increasing number of ungrateful people. At the Superior 100, a runner threatened to punch me out for taking the tracker after they were over the cut-off. This experience lost my enjoyment of volunteering. I’ve heard similar stories from others. A parent shoved a friend’s baseball coach because his kid wasn’t at the top of the order. These youth programs struggle to find coaches because parents with hateful tendencies are reluctant to volunteer, fearing it might interfere with their behavior.

We’re nearing the Grandma’s Marathon again. It’s hard to believe it was eight years ago when I ran my last one. It was challenging, but it was my 30th year, and I ran it with my son. That ended my running for me; it felt like work. I’ve been biking more, alternating between e-bikes and non-e-bikes. I wear a monitor to keep my heart rate above 115 BPM, averaging 125 to 130 BPM during rides. I’ve covered just under 1,400 miles this year.

I had a little fun with a photo enhancer to make me look younger. The enhancer removed the signs of aging and lines. The hair and beard were not touched. Is this not bad for an old guy?

Kids now receive stickers, certificates, and prizes for various activities, such as reading, selling wrapping paper, and participating in sports. Birthdays and parties also come with prizes. However, if a team doesn’t win, they don’t receive a trophy. Motivational tools and incentives have their place, but many kids feel entitled to whatever they want. While not all kids think this, too many believe they deserve a trophy for showing up. Unfortunately, you won’t get a medal, certificate, prize, or ribbon for doing what you should do. It starts with parents realizing they’re not perfect —and neither are their kids. You don’t get a trophy just because you showed up.

I’m tired of young adults who grew up getting trophies for showing up. Their entitled attitude creates a bad impression. If I don’t praise them daily, they’d think they’re failing. As long as I make them feel successful a few times a day, I must do the work myself, because they can’t function without it. I wish that were a joke, but it’s not.

I did take a few hours and had some fun with the dog and treats. Some images are included!

Aside from that, my life is a constant cycle of excessive work and insufficient leisure time. I fervently hope that my work does not take a toll on my health, so I can fully enjoy retirement. I am approaching a milestone of 1 million minutes before my imminent retirement. I intend to continue writing, even if it remains unread. Writing serves as a therapeutic outlet, and who has not experienced the need for such solace in the past few years?

Carry on my friends, carry on!