I Watched A Full Season of GOT.

My first half week off had me losing 1.4 pounds 164.6 pounds. I am not as hungry obviously as when I get 30,000 steps in. Also I am not working out, so i am losing muscle I've built up. There are a lot of things different. 

I am done with season 2 of GOT. I never in a million years would have been able to see it if i had my real life still. It just wasn't going to happen. I didn't do anything but watch tv yesterday. I was sorta hungover. i had probably 1-1/2 drinks more than my max. I didn't get sick, and i didn't get a headache, i just felt lethargic. I didn't even consume much liquids yesterday. I typically drink a lot of water, and i am frequently hungry in my real life. This fake life ain't all negative. I think i should try to relax more. There is value in that i am guessing. Not something i am good at. Haven't been anyway. 

Today i do have a few things to do around the house. There will still be plenty of time for nothing doing. It's the new normal. 

Outside that not much. I think Florida is potentially fucked. Spring breakers, and mega churches.  Michigan isn't doing so great, but we have been in lock down for a while. The Detroit side of the State is the bad part, as with Chicago across the Lake I guess.  I still take this thing seriously though. It's scary. Every little thing has you wondering if you have the virus.  I picked up a few things from the store the other day, and it was super easy to keep the distance away.  

The things we are learning from this virus will probably help us not spread the flu virus so much. At the bakery I am always washing my hands, but even using sanitizing wipes before touching a shopping cart. Also I am going to start getting the flu shot every year. Now that I know how it works.  

Anyway just me doing what I do.  It is harder for me to blog when I am not getting up early before work. I dont know why. I suspect cuz that's the way I do it.  

I think I'll watch an episode of GOT before I start the kitchen, and laundry. 

Laterzzzzzzzz.      :)

xoxo.         :)

xxoo.        :)

Byeeeeeeeeeee.        :)))

A Couple Days In.

Remember how I never like days off, but was doing okay with just one every week? This is day 3 with no end in sight. So basically for the first time in forever I am relaxing. Not stressing because I am lazy. On any typical day my heart rate is always over 100, cuz I am always moving. To the tune of 20-25,000 more steps than I had yesterday. 

I don't feel guilty however. When you gotta shut down you gotta shut down. I haven't worked out in forever. My wrist is still bugging me. Geez you turn 50, and nothing seems to want to heal anymore. Time off is not exciting in the least. We did do some yard work yesterday. I rototilled an area I've been wanting to do. Would i have gotten to it without the downtime? 

Anyway i am today different than i was just a couple weeks ago. From always wanting to be busy, to not being able. I have no guilt about it either. 

Life will look different when this ends, just cuz this is so different. Things that were once important will no longer seem so. The things that were once a priority didn't stand a small test of a virus. We built our lives on the importance of such and such, and in two weeks it was taken away. 

How the world looks after this I don't know. You know building your foundation on the rock instead of sand takes on new meaning huh?  The sand seems sturdy, but it don't take much does it? 

Unknowingly I built mine on the rock. I was broken, and life in general had no meaning. No point to the whole thing. That's what the turn is. So when the whirlwind comes we won't be shaken. 

I know all/most went their own way. Through the wilderness, into self hibernation, you've been given lessons for learning. Learning about fear. A truthful vision about life. A more gentle lesson than say Anne Frank who obviously had to deal with her own quarantine thingy. 

So we all are in this new spot. Here before the great unknown. In life there are lessons. Ya just gotta use the eye in your mind. Use them in tandem with the two you have on your face. 

Anyway, today is another day. There isn't going to be much to it. Its rainy too.   :)

Laterzzzzzzzz.      :)

xoxo.       :)

xxoo.       :)

Byeeeeeeeeee.           :)))

Okay Just One More Day Of Work.

I have one day left of work. It's not the best time to work being a first shifter, but it is nice having the work.  I'll have the next 2-1/2 weeks off, so may as work as much as possible.  So basically in 2 weeks of supposedly not working my main job, I'll get ~65 hours give or take with pay being the same hourly.  I was surprised at yesterday's meeting how many companies are still open to keep the cleaning company still busy.  

I started working there like 6 years ago, and now it has 5 times the accounts.  At least.  Seemingly anyway.  Cleaning is not fun, unless you can find a way to take pride in your areas of responsibility.  Ya gotta be able to do the mundane stuff fast, so you can do extra that no one else will do.  Not rocket science.  Just be better than those before you.  Try anyway. Competition takes boredom out of life.  It's why sportsing players make so much money. Anything that makes life seem exciting is a positive thing.  

The stimulus bill got passed.  A stimulus bill I am all for. Although I haven't read it.  Obviously the govt is basically handing out money.  Printing it really, cuz in actuality it doesn't really exist. Federal Governments are the creator of currency.  States can't do it.  

I am a WIIFM guy as much as anyone else.  The stimulus has stuff in it for me.  As to where all the other money goes who knows.  I was sanitizing offices of a company yesterday. The CEO, Chairman, Controller, etc...   their offices were nice. The manufacturing part seemed fine, but I wondered how long that company was actually viable.  The chairman was the widow of obviously a big part of the corporation.  Her husband had a lot of rememberance thingies. The current CEO is a woman, which I found to be neat, as it is basically a machine, metal, tool and dye type of manufacturing plant.  Oil and grease on the production floor, and classy executive bathrooms on the other side.  

I did feel like I was potentially helping fight the virus sanitizing everything I could in that place, cuz the virus has a stupid shelf life.  20 days or something.  

Anyway,  crazy times.  Lisa's brother who lives with us works at a Meier.  They have an  employee day, so he picked up more toilet paper.  Toilet paper=such a luxury item.   :)   We didn't hoard, but when it got crazy we picked up a couple extra packages on top of our Sam's Club stash.  I feel we will survive the TP thing.   Unless this lasts past 2026.     ;)     kidding.  We have a few weeks supply.  

Other than that not much.  Gotta do the unemployment thing tomorrow or so, and yeah basically I am at home.  It should be fine in a way.  I probably won't want to take a vacation the rest of the year.   

Laterzzzzzzzzz.       :)

xoxo.                :)

xxoo.           :)

Byeeeeeeeeeeeee.       :)))

One More Day Of Work.

I work today,  and have 2-1/2 weeks off. Can't imagine what I'll do. I guess I'll do Spring cleaning and whatnot. Michigan is now a stay at home State. Our area hasn't been hit hard as far as the numbers go. Detroit,  and Grand Rapids are probably the harder hit areas, but it is here.  Being all invisible and  stuff. I  told my Dad he has to stay home. No visiting junky girlfriends.  Where do junkies get heroin during lockdown?  

No sense us trying to stay healthy, while he acts dumb. He leaves he won't be welcome back til April 13th. I'll bring clothes out to his car.  

I feel this virus has stripped us all of our clothes.  However important you were before the outbreak you sure aren't anymore. We see sportsing holds no significance in the face of the unknown.  We all are just one face in this big World. This big World that is doing its best to make us all sick. 

The 5 and 10 year plans have gone down the drain. I guess mine doesn't change too much. Work, eat, sleep is not a challenging lifestyle.  It might be harder to occupy my time without work,  but the days will fill up. How productive I'll be is anyone's guess. I started season 1 of GOT, since I think I only watched the first two seasons. 

We got food, and money, and we can pick up groceries if we need. I'll probably have some drinks here and there.  I didn't gain any weight last week. I dont really raid the fridge with my  time off. Eating doesn't fulfill me in that way. 2-1/2 weeks off seems exciting, but maybe not after one day. We will see. I'll have to turn off all my alarms. Sleep when I want.  I assume that will remain the same. 

I dont know. Life goes on. There will still be a day after day. I just wont be so active.  Its like impossible. 

Anyway,  today is my last work day outside of maybe a couple hours tomorrow.  It should be fine.  What things look like 2 months from now who knows?  Usually we can predict that stuff. Not so much now. 

Anyhoo, have fun.   :)

Laterzzzzzzzzz.        :)

xoxo.        :)

xxoo.       :)

Byeeeeeeee.       :)))

A Little Brighter.

A lot of how we feel is how our perceived health is I guess. My resting heart rate is down. Just laying in bed it was pumping in the upper 50s. Having a little illness a couple weeks ago kinda sucked,  but I am definitely better. My cough is way down too,  and lungs are clear. So far so good I guess. I am glad I don't live in a more populated area. 

I don't have any idea what normal is supposed to look like. I have a bunch of time off, but I don't really do anything horribly productive. It was kinda nice not worrying about what time I should go to bed on a Sunday night. It is not so normal now for me to do this blog thing. If I wake up early before work it is the most natural thing in the World. Now it isn't really part of my routine. I don't really have a routine. 

I am glad to be working tonight. Gets me out of the house. Something to do I guess,  but I am adapting to doing nothing too. You figure Friday off, Saturday work in the morning, Sunday off, and work Monday night. That's a lot of time off for me. 

I know the numbers of the virus will get worse. Can some people get it without any symptoms?  I am pretty far from a hot spot.  I am never really to close to people outside this house. There still is a dark cloud surrounding me, and all probably. The dark cloud of uncertainty. One good thing about me is I am already a home body. I dont particularly go out in the best of times. 

I saw something in, well, many places. People living care free. Ignoring warnings and stuff. I'd say it's an age thing,  but I am typically okay on my own. Comfortable in my own thoughts.  Comfortable in how I am. I am not lonely, and not really bored. I am being lazy, and I am fine with it. No guilt that I am not getting much done. No desire to drink either,  which is nice. 

If my normal has me turn into being lazy, I think I can do it with a clear conscience.  Ya kinda stay busy to stay ahead,  but unfortunately we are all getting behind. The stuff we were getting ahead with doesn't matter. 

Anyway, me just getting into my new normal. Thankfully there is work. A lot of financial stress for people I guess. Not much can be done either. 

I think I'll go shopping for a few things.  

Laterzzzzzzzz.    :)

xoxo.      :)

xxoo.     :)

Byeeeeeee.        :)))

What Does The Endgame Look Like?

That is one question I cannot answer. How many will get infected?  Our only cure from what I gather is our body overcoming the virus. We have no known ability to fight this, and our bodies probably have no natural defense if infected. I assume it is still important to be active, drink fluids etc...  I saw something about getting Vitamin D too, which is where walking the dogs comes in handy. 

I assume those who live sedentary lifestyles will have problems,  cuz this sucker attacks the lungs.  Last week I still had 65 miles. Both jobs require a bunch of walking. Yesterday work was a ghost town. I think I saw 3 people only, and the square footage of the 2 buildings I was in is probably as big as any mall. I found out earlier in the week there was not going to be any overtime for that company. Hence the ghost town. 

I remember in 2008 I looked at the balance sheet of this company. They had no debt hardly, a ton of cash, and a CEO who got paid only $200,000 per year. I have no idea what their balance sheet looks like now. They have doubled in size. If you have a car with a mirror and camera, this company has close to a monopoly on those. Definitely the best product. So automotive, and airplane windows etc...  2 industries that will probably be hit. 

It seems it is possible when a Depression hits we won't be able to afford our own technological advances. Since so much is not known a company should probably buckle up,  and think survival. Depending on how hard everything gets hit, not all companies will remain a going concern.  That means many jobs lost. I work at a cleaning place, and a bakery. A cleaning place has never been so important. A bakery too perhaps. We might not be able to buy a car,  but we can purchase a donut,  bread, or coffee cake. 

It is the endgame we dont know about though. Plan for the worst,  which I think all are finally doing. Stay solvent I guess. Cash is better than a loan. 

Pretty scary I guess. We can become infected by invisible things. If we get infected there isn't much we can do. Our body basically has to overcome. 

Anyway, I guess I'll take the Hopester.  My part in keeping me healthy.  

Laterzzzzzzzzz.      :)

xoxo.       :)

xxoo.       :)

Byeeeeeeee.      :)))

Changing The Schedule...Not So Easy.

Good morning. How's it going?  Me, I am fine. When I first found out I was going to get some time off, I thought I'd give it a week, and see about picking up hours at my other job after the week. About 5 minutes into my week off I decided to just check on hours. There were hours to be had, so I picked them up. The schedule is different, so not so easy. Basically the opposite. Instead of being in bed at 8:00 PM, I am going to work. Instead of being up for the day by 4:00 AM, I am going to bed.  That takes some getting used to. I survived I guess. a little more tired than usual, but I am glad I worked. It always feels good to have money coming in. Our security kinda depends on it in ways. 

Tomorrow I work at 5:00 AM, so kinda back to normal. I can work again next week too, and we will see if things open up after that. Remember how I used to plan for my future by saying, "All things being equal"?   Oh well. I guess all things are no longer equal. Once again all of us are traveling into the great unknown.  

I can't imagine what people do to fill the time. TV watching I suppose.  My routine was a pretty big part of my life, and that has changed a bit. I have enough money to tide me over, plus I have money coming in still. I imagine it can be tough for some people. 

It appears all we spend money on now is bills and food. We aren't going out to eat or anything. What happens to all the restaurants?   The travel industry?  Airlines?  The great unknown I guess. The strain on the financial system seems like it will be pretty huge. Maybe we are able to get back to a new normal. Maybe it happens quickly.  I don't know.  I know none of us planned for this. 

I like my normal. I hope we get back to something close to it. If not, I guess I'll find a new one. 

Today I have a day off. I think i.may have a couple cocktails.  One good thing about working my other job is I don't drink at all. If I didn't work, which I had an opportunity, I would probably had a couple cocktails each day, instead of none. 

The lucky thing for me is when we get back to normal I won't be behind. Lisa gets unemployment for time missed, and I make just a little less than normal.  

The people with no money coming in has to be tough.  Unemployment takes a while to kick in. Car payments,  rents, and mortgages still need to be made. Insurance and utilities too. 

Stress has been added I guess to everyone's life.  Vision becomes clearer I guess when your normal day to day gets smashed. You counted on same old same old for your security. It don't take long for that to disappear does it?  

We all learned something. My normal was demolished a long time ago, so I knew of these possibilities.  What happens when this unknown gets turned into anger from a good portion?  

Anyway, today is a day.  A day off too.  :)

Laterzzzzzzzz.      :)

xoxo.        :)

xxoo.       :)

Byeeeeeeeee.       :)))

A Staycation Of All Staycations?

Michigan has been shut down for at least 2 weeks. I thought about taking at least one week off, and maybe picking up hours at my other job. I was about 5 minutes into my vacation,  and became bored right away.  So I picked up hours starting tonight. I am mostly signed up for collecting unemployment. I just never got a text back for my 2nd confirmation pin number. No clue what's up with that. Just like that a major portion of the Economy is shut down. 

There cannot possibly be enough money to bail out all those who need to be bailed out. Airlines, unemployment for the states. interest rates are low so Corporations floated bonds to some ridiculous level. Those become due. We are talking like $11 Trillion worth.  

Is this the knockout blow to capitalism?  A lot of body blows. The dotcom bust. The financial mess in what was it 2008?  Then the virus hit, and shuts everything down. 

I figure many in the restaurant business live paycheck to paycheck.  What happens when they start getting kicked out from where they live?  

It can be a pretty scary time I think. How much of this was in your 5 and 10 year plans?  We basically are blind huh?  Especially when the unpredictable happens.  

2 weeks off for people can be a big deal. All of a sudden people still won't be going out, cuz they have to play catch up now. Bills don't stop coming. 

Holland is a tourist area in the Summer.  That will take a hit this year just like everywhere else. March Madness doesn't happen this year. Vegas is basically closed. 

It is an interesting time, cuz we cannot see or predict the future days. We don't know how different our normal is 4 weeks from now. 

Oh my stupid fingers are too skinny now so my wedding ring fell off somewhere.  I was down to 165.9 pounds last week. My schedule will be kinda whack this week. Going into work at 8:00 PM instead of already sleeping. My resting heart rate is down to 171. 

I think I'll go to bed for a while. If I can get just a couple more hours of sleep I'll be golden. 

Laterzzzzzzzzz.      :)

xoxo.       :)

xxoo.      :)

Byeeeeeeee.      :)))

Try not killing family members the next couple of weeks.      :)

Some Other Crazy Thing About Me.

I kinda thought about doing nothing yesterday, and I found I am not very good at it. I  got the majority of my Sunday stuff done. You think if  you had a day off you might want to catch up on reading or something. Not me. I feel reading is a bad use of my time, and I should do something productive. 

Anyway,  I did some shopping. It was a normal thing. It wasn't crazy at all. Going while people are in Church is a good time to go. Holland has a ton of churches, and I have no clue who is going to them. 

Sam's Club got wiped. It was pretty surprising. Holland has a ton of restaurants. I guess we all would be pretty surprised how often the typical person eats out. It's more than you would imagine. I bet that slows down. I dont want to go out to eat. I don't really like to go out in normal times so that didn't change. People who typically eat out a lot are probably going to cook at home more. 

I don't really know what this week or the next few will look like. What percentage will come in to contact with the virus?  How many will just assume it is cold symptoms?  My not so knowledgeable self assumes everyone with it will feel like they have cold symptoms, and the elderly may be at risk. Probably those with underlying conditions,  but really I dont know. It isn't as bad as the virus from the stand.     I can say that confidently.  

Its probably a good idea to stay away from things that compromise your ability to defend sickness.  Sleep good, stay away from alcohol. Eat oranges, and have a good input of vitamin C. Little things.  Clean,  clean, clean. 

I kinda am self isolated in my every day life as it is. Working out I came into contact with people, but that is done for a while. At work, I probably come into close contact with less than a dozen people.   I don't go out. I don't eat out. Still I feel at risk I guess for catching the virus. It's hard to fight what you can't see. I don't even know what to do if my face itches. I'll probably itch it. 

Anyway today is a day. We will play it by ear.  Kinda have that virus shadow hanging over us. It's always a good idea to wash your hands. My dad just peed, and didn't wash his hands.  What a foolish foolish person. Gross too. 

Gotta run. 

Laterzzzzzz.      :)

xoxo.       :)

xxoo.       :)

Byeeeeeeeeee.    :)))

What's The New Normal?

So last night I got my first "good" rated sleep ever. Usually my best was fair. One thing is I  rarely sleep over 8 hours. Also if I did,  I probably had cocktails so my heart rate was probably whack. 

My resting heart rate is back on the slow climb down. Regardless my heart rate won't fluctuate more than two BPMs regardless. Not sure why. I made the trip up to a high of 81 earlier this week, and now am down to 75. I like to be 70, and below, although 60-80 is normal. 

A good sleep, resting heart rate traveling down,  BP was good. Back is better, wrist is getting there. One more week of rest should do the trick. The cough we will see. I slept like a champ. No cough, but we will see how the day goes. That is when I do my coughing. A week with one day of fever is pretty hard. You don't really realize how much it takes out of you. On Friday I had to sleep as late as I could. I think I am always tired on Saturday after work, so yesterday I was. 

Anyway I feel I am better. The World is different this Sunday then it was last Sunday. A lot of places are closing for a week or so. Obviously my workout place consisting of old people is closed til April something. The liquor store by my house is closed for a week. 

A run of items at grocery stores has gone on I guess. Panic buying I suppose.  I heard there was even a run on milk, which seemed like the most idiotic thing in the World. Milk has a shelf life, so there isn't any need to consume more than usual. 

I don't know though. I was thrown by toilet paper. I didn't see that coming. If people are so attached to their life why does such a high percentage do it in an unhealthy way?  

Whatever, the World is crazy. I am not the ONLY sane one, I am as crazy as any of them I guess.  I dont feel the need to go binge shopping though. Of course in any extreme I can make an unlimited amount of bread. All I need is water flour, and salt. Just gotta keep a starter active with flour and water. The World isn't at that stage though, and it probably won't... I don't think. 

There will be Economic consequences though. People will definitely think twice before they buy $1000 iPhones.  I think they should have regardless. I see no need for the latest phone.  I don't know what the point would be. 

There was a fair amount of people working at my Saturday job. I found that to be surprising, cuz that is overtime. 

Now people have a ridiculous amount of food. Freezers are full, pantries are loaded, fridges are overflowing. Also balances in checking accounts might be low, or credit card balances are higher. Either one is probably bad.  

I guess regardless of all, I feel secure. My strength does not come from me. Internally i just feel secure, and unafraid.  The World taking a shit won't change that. 

I don't need the same old to happen day in day out to feel good. My security does not come from money, or assuming the World will act in some reasonable way. It's an internal thing.  Given to me after overcoming the 2nd time. That was at the beginning of this blog the wait, so I've been this way a while.  

Anyway, I am going to have a very relaxing day today.  Kinda looking forward to it. For one day I am going to throw away my go go go I typically do pretty much every day. 

I don't know what to do for dinner. Anyway, I spose.   

Laterzzzzzz.      :)

xoxo.        :)

xxoo.       :)

Byeeeeeeeeeee.       :)))

The Fever Broke.

So yesterday definitely sucked. I left work a bit early, just cuz I was done. Mentally drained. I came home, and tried to sleep, but sleep eluded me. It may be, cuz my heart rate never got below 90. My body was battling. I eventually did fall asleep. We had McDonalds for dinner, cuz I was craving that of all things. Don't ask. I would have done pizza, but definitely junk food is what I craved. 

I was worrying about the sleep thing. I didn't want to be up all night. I did sleep, and at some point woke up with my shirts drenched. My legs don't ache this morning,  and my heart rate is down quite a bit. You can see it plummet in the graph. 

The back is still sore,  but it loosens up with movement. My wrist is still sore, and that's annoying, and I still have my cough. I do feel good though, and coffee is so much better when your heart rate is down. It sucks kinda if your heart rate is running high. At least for me. I know there are people who drink multiple cups a day, but I  like my one in the morning. 

My IRA account is getting butchered. It's a bit more aggressive than my personal one. They sold some stock in my non IRA account, bought some, and now I am sitting on a good amount of cash. Relatively speaking of course. It stands at about 16-17% cash. I keep adding $100 each week. Now I am not the one to get upset about these losses, cuz if things correct eventually than there will be heavy production for sure. There most assuredly will be a slow down. 

I saw a blurb yesterday that Berkshire Hathaway was sitting on  I think $122 Billion dollars in cash. When the markets tumble its good to have cash on hand, cuz then you can take advantage. The cash in my non IRA account is a little shy of $122 Billion, but I am glad I am set up to take advantage.  Plus I put in $100 each week. It will take me a year or two to get that up to $122 Billion.   ;)

So life goes on. I noticed when I am sick,  I am kinda a better person. I am not so judgmental. I don't like being sick though. If you cannot enjoy your days is there even a reason to be alive?  Not really. There always is hope for better days though. 

Anyhoo that's about it. I am almost done with the outsider book, and today is a new day. It will definitely be better than yesterday. Next time I get a fever, I am calling in. It's not worth it. I am so dumb.  

Anyway I gotta run.  

Laterzzzzzz.     :)

xoxo.         :)

xxoo.         :)

Byeeeeeeeeee.      :)))

Now I Did It.

So, I got the annoying cough since forever,  I have a sore wrist, I tweaked my back yesterday throwing 50# bags of flour and whatnot around. My resting heart rate is sky high, so you figure I may be coming down with something. I may be a little achy.  Lisa probably is sick, again, and the kids were just sick. 

I can tell I am not feeling real great, cuz I am not really excited about the day. I'll be  walking like I got a pencil up my butt. I am pretty sure I am not tasting food too great. Not feeling like I'll have much of an appetite at all. I almost feel like call in sick sick, but it's not like I ever do that. I am the bad person who will give everyone the Coronavirus, because I always go to work. I am not going to take Hope today. I am not really tired either,  so that is why I am not sleeping. Life kinda sucks when you are sick. 

Of course this week is starting out pretty quick. Monday and Tuesday were over 13 miles. I am not going to work out today,  also I am driving to work too. Although riding my bike may make me feel better, but you never know about that. I think I'll just chug water today. My legs are definitely achy. Not from consecutive 13 milers either. You know where it kinda hurts in the joints?  Yuck. Last week I went to the doctor. My temp was fine, lungs were clear,  and BP was fine. So it definitely just came on. The same as my elevated resting heart rate. 

When you become sick you just don't give a shit about things you did just last week. Come to think of it, I kinda wanted a lazy Sunday when I woke up. I'm gonna say that was the beginning. You know how I typically wake up, and I am like go go go?  I definitely wasn't Sunday. 

So today, I think I'll power through work,  come home, and go straight to bed. Watch tv or something. I hope this bug gets rid of the cough too. My cough does seem like it may be healing. 

Oh one thing I learned yesterday was about the flu shot. Getting it is a good idea. I never did,  cuz I never got the flu til like last year. Getting a flu shot helps teach your body to fight off the flu. Even if you never get the flu, like getting a shot exposes your body to it, and it can learn from it. When your body is confronted with something new it can fight it kamikaze style, and that probably isn't the best way. Don't ask me what I googled to learn that. It wasn't sexy farm animal images, which probably is my #1 search on Google.    ;)    haha. 

Laterzzzzzzzzzz.      :)

xoxo.          :)

xxoo.       :)

Byeeeeeeeeee.        :)))

The Cough Is Still Here

I still have my cough, so that sucks. I am not sure if it is getting better or not. At first I figured it was my medication, cuz it is a side effect. I just had to change the prescription, which I eventually got around to. Honestly I haven't even been paying a ton of attention to it. I'll see how it does the next couple weeks. My resting heart rate is high, so my body is definitely fighting. It's not an alcohol induced high heart rate either. 

I guess I am finally considering this cough a thing I should pay attention to. Anyway Monday was Monday. I did what I said. I did skip my workout. I talked myself into skipping,  cuz of rain, and bike. Also cuz I have a wrist thing I am dealing with. I think it is from repetitive movements, probably scooping flour. That's how I just had tennis elbow. It may be from working out, but the exercises don't really bug my wrist. Push ups do, but I switched to using my fists to hold my weight, and it doesn't bug my wrist. 

So I definitely got things going on. Yesterday I lost over $1000 in my investment accounts.   :)  In one day.   The good news is oil prices plummeted. So maybe that can offset the travel slow down we will be sure to see.  Airline tickets should be cheaper. I'm not flying anywhere though. Definitely not the year to be checking out cities. 

I did get a lot more of my outsider book read. I watched the last episode on HBO too. Audible gave me a 2 books for the price of one credit. I got a Dean Koonts book, and the Red sparrow one or whatever its called. Hold on, I am going to check. I hope it's not the one I already returned. Yeah, its the one they made a movie of. The movie was good, also its #1 in a 3 part series I think. I am a way away from it though. The current book I am listening to has like 23 hours left. 

So life goes on I guess. What will this year look like?  Will the virus die out?  It seems to have in China. It's made its mark though. Cruise ships definitely got hit. It's pretty amazing the power of a virus huh?  

I figure people are pretty worried, and perhaps angry about stuff. My piddly little investments lost $1000 on paper. Can you imagine how much sizable investments lost in money on paper?  Yikes. People who make their money by investing have to be scared. Most aren't happy when we lose money. Say your job is working on a cruise ship?  There will be layoffs there. 

Real jobs will be lost, and it will be real people with bills losing them. The extent of the damage will largely be how this virus plays out. If China is any indication it probably has a short shelf life. A Presidential Election may be won or lost by it. If it doesn't have a short shelf life in the US, like it did in China blame has to fall somewhere. It will fall on the one who cannot control what comes out of his mouth. 

How the choices are from 3 old white men again is beyond me. Upper 70s is the time you are in retirement. Not trying to make your mark. That time has passed. 

Anyway, I got my day to day. I got books, and jobs, and meals to eat, etc... I just gotta get rid of this cough. It will definitely be an interesting few months. Spring is here too I believe. We are seeing 40s, and 50s as the highs. It's hard to dip far below that as we are transitioning to warmer months, but you never know I guess. 

Anyway, I have a day today. It should be okay I think. 

Laterzzzzzzz.     :)

xoxo.          :)

xxoo.          :)

Byeeeeeeee.        :)))

Could It Be?

So this morning I am not coughing like a hyena yet. It's been my thing. Sleep great, no problems,  cough like a hyena once you get up. If this cough finally goes that would be pretty awesome. 

Yesterday I woke up at stupid 'o' clock. I started reading the outsider first thing, and I know reading is a blog killer. I read played my stupid phone game some, and took Hope for a long walk. I finished listening to my first Nelson Demille book. Plum island. It was okay. I started the 2nd in the series. When I was at the drugstore on Saturday,  I saw Greg Isles has another book out. It looks to be a 30 hour book. The paperback was pretty big.  :)  

I find I can listen to more books than I read, cuz I can listen while I do other shit. I love the outsider book, I am hooked. I  think I'll do Agatha Christie after this. Those books are awesome. Also I heard I should give Dean Koonts a try too. So many books. 

I see the stocks are going to tank again today. Yikes. Luckily I just started investing, so I have no problem with a crash and recovery. As long as the crash has a recovery of course. If there is a crash. 

Anyway today is Monday. It's a workout day, plus outsider book read day, and outsider episode watch day. I was just looking at some books my wife has in this breezeway, and I see she has a Dean Koontz one.  Hmmmmmmm.    

I am behind on the weather. Have no idea what its supposed to do. Outside of that I guess everything is pretty good. I did all my Sunday stuff yesterday. I didn't have to do any shopping. We have enough stuff. My clothes are all folded,  and dishes washed. 

I am really excited to get back to the outsider book. It sounds windy as Hell outside. Its Monday, which all of a sudden turns into a pretty good day of the week. My day off was good. I slept good, I feel good,  and today is another day. Pretty simple. 

Life is simple pimple huh?  :)  it is if your insides are made to make it feel so. Its pretty good to be excited about the day. I highly recommend it. Its good to have anger far away too. 

Just thinking about my day today, and it seems like it will be easy. Mostly excited about reading my book, eating a dinner,  watching my show,  and maybe a blacklist or two. 

Pretty exciting.  Anyhoo, I gotta check the weather.  

Laterzzzzzzzz.        :)

xoxo.        :)

xxoo.        :)

Byeeeeeeeee.       :)))

What Do You Know. It's Friday.

Good morning. How's it going?  Me, I am fine. I went to the doc yesterday about my cough, and it seems to be just one of bv those things. We are going to try to treat it like an allergy type thing. My lungs are clear,  I sleep like a champ, it really is just when I get up. Strange strange. Especially for someone who rarely gets sick. What are you going to do. Yesterday was just under 13 miles,  so you are looking at a chance of breaking 80 miles this week.  I guess there is always the possibility that 80 miles will be my summer goal. Obviously 72 isn't going to cut it anymore. I wonder if my quitting drinking has something to do with it. Am I taking Hope more often?  Am I doing more after work?  The answer is probably yes. I am probably better this year in  those things than last year. 

Oh my blood pressure read pretty normal for me at the Doctor's office. Like 136/86 or something. That was the first try. I assume it would have been lower on the 2nd. I get nervous as fuck about my BP at the doctors. Probably cuz its always been bad. Obviously I mention bp in this blog enough so I do pay attention. 

So things are going pretty good i guess. A lot of pretty positive things in my life. I am active, and working. Financially things are okay. I have a pretty sweet schedule and routine i really like. Its perfect for me. I have books to read and listen to. 

Come August I'll have property taxes to pay. I think August. Its only $2000, but that seems like a lot. If I sold this house tomorrow they would jump up to $4000, as the purchase price would be doubled. All of a sudden property taxes would be the equivalent of like $340/month.  All of a sudden that would seem like a big deal right?  Like a car payment. Right now I am like $167/month for taxes.  That's not too bad, cuz we have things like picking up yard waste at the street in spring and fall. They've upgraded drainage systems around town,  added bike lanes to streets etc...  I never use the bike lanes, cuz I go slow enough for the sidewalk. Its there though. Our city does a pretty good job. 

Other than that not much. Just living out my life. Pretty happy how it's going. It's pretty easy. That's kinda what  we  hope for right. An easy life. My easy life has me active, I labor,  and I consistently use a good portion of my muscles.  Muscle memory makes my lifestyle easy. I suspect i worked up to being like this. At 50-something i am in a pretty good spot huh?  

Financially good.  Health good. Lifestyle good. Trying to do little things to make things even better. My life is balanced too. Earlier i had the desire to stay active the whole day. Have activities to keep me busy so I wouldn't drink. Now I realize to be better balanced I need to have downtime. Drinking just doesn't need to be a part of it. 

So I guess I got everything I need out of life. A content heart. Outside of my normal day to day there is a story being played out, but it seems distant right now. That's fine too, cuz my heart is content in things.  This life is fine. I had a dream last night. A strange one kinda, but one that gave me insight to myself. I am considered to be pretty average in most things. Average intelligence, average in sportsing prowess, etc...   I accept that about myself. I know this about myself,  and I am more than happy about it. That is fine with me. Being unexceptional is fine by me. I have no problem with that. It's not a biggie to me. 

Knowing myself like I do is pretty good. Accepting the true value of me is easy. I dont have any false preconceived notions of how I am supposed to be, or how life is. This is fine with me. I am happy about it. 

Anyhoo, I better take the Hopester.  

Laterzzzzzzz.        :)

xoxo.         :)

xxoo.        :)

Byeeeeeeeeeee.        :)))

I Zonked Last Night

Good Morning.  How's it going?  Me, I am okay.  Yesterday was another big step day.  I consider 13 miles the threshold of a pretty big step day.  Yesterday I crossed that threshold again.  That is pretty much a natural occurance for me, and I don't know how others are.  I suspect the average person gets quite a few less steps than me on any given day.  I don't know how my life would be like that.  I am glad my life is as it is.  I can eat what I want when I want.  I am like a little guinea pig throughout the work day.  Eat, an apple here, and an orange there.  Eat a sandwich here, and a salad there.  Not everything in one sitting, but really just here and there.  The mirrors at my workout place all make me look fat.  :)

Yesterday, I did get all my stuff done.  My workout, and take Hope after work basically.   The day flew by too.  All of a sudden it was time to make dinner.   I fell asleep around 7:00 pm.  I woke up around 8:30, and felt like I was asleep for 5 hours already.  I guess that happens when you wake up during a deep sleep, not really sure where you are, or even what State you live in.  I definitely slept good last night.   I am going to the doctor today to see about the cough of mine that never goes away.  I tried to do an e-visit, but they want to listen to me.   I know my lungs are fine, but if I breathe through my mouth, I get a tickle thing that turns into a cough.  I sleep fine at night, no problems at all, it just starts when I wake up.  A little runny nose is involved too, but not when I sleep.   It hasn't hampered me, and it definitely isn't contagious.   I am just hoping one week of antibiotics will clean it up.   

Other than that everything is fine.   We got our federal tax money back, so that is sweet.   Especially on a week where we get paid from all our jobs.  Money coming in is pretty sweet.   Not too much else on my mind I don't think.  I am glad I am active.  I am glad I work out, although I am at the stage again where the morning after I don't really feel it.  Basically I do 9 stations each 4 sets of 10.  I just upped the weights so the weights are at a good spot.  Challenging.  I just have too much muscle memory.  Like if you are in good running shape, szXED#E#DXgoing out for a 6 mile jog is nothing.   I guess its the same thing.  Its one of the reasons I started working out.   To put more muscles to use, to avoid pain later on, when all of a sudden a physical job comes up out of the blue.   I didn't want to be sore for a week after.  It does kinda suck not feeling like you did anything the day after, cuz you did.  You put forth good effort, but your body just takes it in, like same ole same ole.   The body is good like that.   Running is kinda better at those things, cuz you can say you went out for a 6 miler, and people understand that.  Your workout, you cannot really explain like that.  I am glad I do it though.  I am in such a good state right now too, that I am excited to get my workout in on those days.  I know it is good for me.  

Basically my life is in a pretty good spot.  I am secure in my settings, and I am fine with my life.   Money coming in is a good thing, and I like my two jobs.   Actually talking yesterday to a co-worker, and I realized I like working.   Such a good and positive thing to have in a day.   Just like me putting in a good amout of steps each day is normal, so is how I feel working.   I cannot imagine being any different.   If there are those that don't have labor or don't like it, and don't have activity or don't like it, I kinda feel bad for them.   This is the good stuff of life right here.   The busy, and active day to day.   At least I think so.   

Anyway, I better take Hope.   

Laterzzzzzzzzz    :)

xoxo          :)

xxoo         :)

Byeeeeeeeeeeeee      :)))

Moving Forward...Whatever That Means.

Good morning. How's it going?  Me, I am fine. I didn't sleep as good last night as the night before, so I slept a little later. It was a non drinking night so my resting heart rate is lower. Kinda crazy how that works huh?  I didn't see any warnings from the surgeon general. 

I know ciggarettes are bad, and the warnings everyone knows. Is alcohol a big cause of heart problems?  It's probably hard to really say, cuz so many other factors play a part.   My guess is alcohol sneaks up on the casual drinker. I don't know what I would have been considered. A frequent casual drinker if that's a thing. I drank many days out of the year, just never really overdid it to a bad extreme. I know now it was not healthy for me. 

Alcohol is kinda a crazy drug. You worry if you are an "alcoholic"  you know like now you lost control over yourself. There are people who are at a bad extreme. You know, they wake up to a glass of vodka or something. If anyone ever drank a fifth in a day, that would be troubling. Especially in a day after day situation. I am just here to say for the frequent casual drinker, alcohol seems to me to be pretty bad for you. I am not sure if we know that though. I learned through my fitbit, and regular blood work. 

Blood pressure, lipid count, and heart rate are affected negatively.  Even for someone who has been as active as me. 

So, I still battle on. At some point yesterday I did feel like going to the bar to get a drink. I think it was after the kids dog took my library book outside,  and ripped it to shreds. I finished the 2nd of 4 stories on it, and was looking forward to starting the 3rd. I noticed the shithead probably took my slipper outside,  so while I was looking for that,  I found my book too with a billion pieces of paper everywhere, and a book cover that looked familiar.   :)  I was really looking forward to reading the other 2 stories too. I did start the outsider book though. It starts off very much like the series on HBO.  My guess is HBO put out a very good product.  I am entertained by it. My Monday I look forward to the episode.  Next week is the last one. 

As a day yesterday was pretty busy. Over 13 miles. it was a full day of work. I did the dishes, did some reading,  and watched a couple episodes of the blacklist. The blacklist is not a bad show. 

I guess what I wish now is to do more reading,  and more show watching, cuz something has to take up my normal time of having cocktails.  I thought originally maybe just more activity would be the ticket,  but I am guessing my few hours of downtime should be just that. 

Other than that I guess everything is normal. Just trying to change my want to around.  I guess for as long as I remember I did what I wanted. Yeah, I worked, and ran, but my want to was cocktails to finish off the day. 

At my age health becomes a more important factor. I've been working out consistently, and honestly that takes a lot of little things away. Little aches and pains  disappear.  A strong core actually helps your bowel movements some. Something I noticed.  

Today will be another busy day. Me sleeping late means I have to take Hope after my workout. Not ideal how that pans out. 

I'll have some dinner,  hopefully time for the outsider book, and some blacklist. A simple day for sure, but still a pretty active one. For me that is easy though. 

I gotta make a salad.  Decided to start just making 2 every couple days, instead of one really big one.  

Gotta go.  

Laterzzzzzzzz.     :)

xoxo.       :)

xxoo.          :)

Byeeeeeeeeee.      :)))

Monday Didn't Disappoint

Good morning. How's it going?  Me, I am doing fine. It's kinda nice when a plan comes together. My plan was just your basic Monday. Work, workout, read, do dinner, and watch the newest episode of the outsider. Nailed it. I guess the other part of the plan is not drinking, and nailed that too. I feel so good about the not drinking I definitely don't want to do it today. 

I do have some stuff to do today. Basically clean the kitchen,  and I am super addicted to my book. I have the outsider book here I want to read, I have like 30 minutes left of my 30 hour book, and I have a Nelson Demille 30 hour book to listen to. This here is the good life. Sometimes my internals talk me into living the bad life. Like ohhhh, having a drink would be nice now.    :)

Anyway yesterday was warm. Sunny and 40°-something feels really warm on March 2nd. It wasn't even a cold winter. Our 10 day appears to be more April type weather too. 

I am pretty excited about this year. There are going to be some changes which is always exciting. The kids will probably start moving out this weekend. We will move downstairs. We have a lot of yard work to do this year. A lot of cleaning,  and organizing. So you are looking at a lot of steps. I guess the big change is where we start to spend a lot of time outside again. Cut the grass, plant the garden, weed the garden, water the garden. 

I know it is kinda a big deal to cook out on the grill,  but it isn't as exciting to me for some reason. I don't enjoy grill food as much as more traditional ways to cook. You don't cook tacos on the grill you know?   

Change is coming though, and that is always exciting. It's why I like MI in the first place. I get tired of Summer, and the same old weather. I like different outlooks.  The kind that comes from different seasons. I would get bored otherwise. Life already can be plenty boring. 

Currently I have good books, and stuff to keep me busy. Also a day of not drinking under my belt, which always has me wanting more.  Being a person is kinda trippy huh?  How can someone be so excited about not drinking eventually have his internals go behind my back, and try and talk me into doing the opposite?  

We are all kinda weak. If we weren't we'd all sleep the correct amount of time each night. We'd eat the right stuff, exercise a ridiculous amount of time, read all the books, volunteer for all the things.  Save money at a very healthy clip. also we wouldn't be angry about stuff. Our internals aren't exactly our friend all the time. We all have our battles. One need only take a quick look at the general population to see that to be true. 

Anyway, I spose.  Gotta take Hope. 

Laterzzzzzzz.       :)

xoxo.        :)

xxoo.       :)

Byeeeeeeeee.       :)))

I Like Mondays.

Good morning. How's it going?  Me, I am fine. Yesterday I got all my shit done. Kinda early too, so I ran out of shit to do, and had cocktails. That is why I like Monday. Monday is busy, I work,  workout, we do dinner,  watch a new episode of the outsider. The day fills up. 

I hate running out of shit to do. Especially too early in the day. I guess I don't really run out of stuff to do, I just run out of stuff I want to do. I don't really know what people do with downtime. I don't particularly like watching tv in the afternoon. I feel that's as bad as drinking. You'd probably see me do both during football season. I don't feel like laying down to read either. I need a time filler on Sundays.  

Also some days its really easy for me to not drink, and some days after work and stuff that is exactly what I want to do. I guess getting rid of the want to is the hard thing. It just shows up out of nowhere.  I am thankful no matter if I do drink, I do have an internal stop button. I hit my max, and I don't want anymore. It's how I have gone years without a hangover. Still I want the want to gone, and be done with that vice. 

What a pain huh?  So many vices in the World.  

Anyway like I said I like Mondays. It's a busy day. It's a simple day. Not a lot of pressure to a Monday. Most days really. The only thing I worry about is the drinking thing. Its something I dont want to do, but it is something I still sometimes do. I don't feel good about it either.  

I want to be the best healthiest version of me I can be. Drinking stops me from doing that. I guess i can still function at 100% if i have a few cocktails,  but it is something i don't want in my life. 

You may say just dont do it. You are right,  i shouldn't.  Sometimes though at the end of the day want to hits pretty hard. Being human is really an exercise in failure. In our minds we probably picture who we want to be, and maybe/probably we fail every day. 

You know I am pretty consistent I'd say, but still I feel I have shortcomings.  Hope,  and I are going to take a walk. I am getting to the finish of a pretty good book. Its actually a series of books, but I bought it all as one book. Its really good. Stephen King really liked the author. He died of aids at some point, and his daughter finished up some book he started before he passed. He wrote the screenplay for beetlejuice. 

The book is called Blackwater,  the complete saga.  It's been entertaining.  I am like 24 hours into it, so I'll finish it this week sometime.  

I am thankful its Monday. A busy, but simple day. Looking forward to the new episode of the outsider. Looking forward to not drinking too.   :)

Laterzzzzzzzzzz.       :)

xoxo.         :)

xxoo.         :)

Byeeeeeeeeeee.      :)))

It Is Sunday. My Day Off.

Well, today is my day off. I have my normal Sunday stuff to do. I am not sure what to do for dinner. I ended up with 76 miles last week. It's not really a surprising number anymore. I actually gained a pound last week. I felt like I ate a lot during the day, especially later in the week. The pound was pretty expected. I worked out all 3 days, so that's good. Some old guy said he was watching me, and the weights I use. He told me I am surprisingly strong. Probably cuz of my size, and like I said before there aren't many/any people in super shape where I work out. A lot of slow treadmillers, and bikers. I suspect many people are there to prolong the living thing. They lived their life, perhaps they watched a lot of tv, spent a good portion of their life in a cubicle,  and as we get older we need to take care of stuff. Our heart has to be used, and so do our muscles. I guess it's best to start early in your life, cuz it would be better to reach your later years already in pretty good shape.  

I guess it would be good to reach your later years stable. Comfortable at home etc...  I find I am stable. I have two jobs I like. Money comes in. I wish my accounts currently were at what I assume they will be 15 years from now.  :) Growth comes slow. 

Life goes on. Plenty more of work eat sleep in my foreseeable future.  I will be busy this year, but it won't be an expensive year. I've already pretty much decided to not travel anywhere this year, unless maybe in the Fall. I find building my nest egg to be a better use of my resources. 

I guess I am super comfortable and content at home. I am not super sociable outside of work. I guess cuz I am busy. 3 days I work out after work,  so that takes time. You figure you gotta get dinner started. I try and take Hope early morning, so that means an early bed time. My day is done before you know it. I am happy my life is this way. It's super comfortable. 

I listen to a lot of books. That is something I am happy about. The audible book works perfect for my Saturday job, and biking to work, to my workout,  during my workout,  and back. Also when I take Hope. 

I do a movie almost every Saturday. Sometimes during the week if I am able. Usually not though. I read some too. Kinda wish I did more, but life is busy still. 

I feel kinda like I am missing out not taking out a loan with interest rates falling,  cuz borrowing is cheap. My savings account is paying me less and less. My CD of 2.3% is probably hard/impossible to come by. I still try, and grow my savings, but there is no guilt if I take a bit, if that ever arises. I think it's currently paying like 1.6%  I think.  

I could easily take out some equity for like $50,000 at a super low interest rate, but I have nothing to spend it on. Also, I want to grow my nest egg, and loans don't exactly do that.  

You can probably understand my dilemma though kinda. We are consumers.  I am lucky I guess I don't crave items. Clothes,  toys etc...   I am busy. My day fills up as it is. Only so many hours in the day, and my hours typically are used up. To the tune of over 72 miles per week. 

I know the typical person probably loves their downtime, and I am the opposite. Being active, and busy works better for me. I am that person who does not look forward to a retirement.  I'll always want to continue to work. Heck there was an old guy who used to work at the local lumberyard. He kept his wits about him even after 90 years old.  Played a bit of golf too during the warm months.  

I think he said his life would be full of tv if he didn't get out and do shit. Look how old Suoreme Court Justices stay sharp. You don't use your muscles you'll lose them. You don't use your brain the same thing happens.  

Harrison Ford was in the call of the wild movie. He is 77 years old, and has a 30 year old chest. He's still in pretty good shape.  That's how I want to age.  

Anyway I spose.  

Laterzzzzzzzzz.      :)

xoxo.       :)

xxoo.      :)

Byeeeeeeeeee.       :)))