It is December 31, 2021

Here we are at the end of the year, and WHAT A YEAR.  Who would have thought I would experience a deadlier pandemic than the Spanish Flu in my lifetime.  But I did, and so did you if you read this post.  The Covid-19 pandemic has become the deadliest disease event in American history, with a death toll surpassing the 1918 Spanish flu.  The Spanish Flu was previously the disease event that caused the most significant loss of life in the United States; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 675,000 Americans died during the 1918 pandemic in waves of illness that stretched out roughly two years in this country.  So we are nearing two full years into COVID!  As of today, 5,452,900 worldwide deaths.

So I again say, what a year.  We thought we would see the end of the pandemic.  Well, not exactly.  Just when we thought the thing was ending … hello Omicron!  I hope you have come through it OK so far and can keep safe as we move forward.  This is depressing, so let me change the subject. 

Politics!  This has been a year unlike any I have ever experienced.  My friends say that all news media is lying; they trust Twitter and Facebook more.  I had friends, well past friends, who would not talk to me anymore and have gone so far as to try to disrupt my life because I would not believe their position.  What happened to respect and to listen.  I have a hard time accepting the stupidity I saw in 2021.  For example, some people are shown in the Daily Show Jordan Klepper series.  See it below. In some ways, this is just entertainment; people will call it lies.

I decided to run a test while out in public.  I would ask questions like, "Can you name the Avengers?" I typically received four to six listed without hesitation.  Then I ask, "How many presidents can you name?" I was surprised that not one of those under 35 could name more presidents than Avengers.  I even asked a co-worker if they supported Richard Cater, Bill Obama, or Barack Clinton as President.  I had two of seven correct me.  One stated that Carter was outstanding, but the other two were not Americans and shouldn't have been presidents.  I asked how many State capitals they could name.  One did not know the Capital of Minnesota.  A random person I spoke with while waiting in line at Target.

I wish I were kidding.  I need to gain faith in the general intelligence levels I encounter.  Or is it that I am the one who is now keeping up with the current trends and needs to gain knowledge of events today?  Like those on Facebook?  How can I respond to this?  And then I hear people saying storming the Capital is free speech.  Where will it end?  I also had people criticize me for getting the vaccine and putting unknown and unproven medicine in my body.  All while they eat their Cheetos and Taco Bell and drink Mountain Dew?  Imagine what is really in those products?  As my grandfather once said, you can't control stupidity! 

Well, those were two depressing discussion points? What could be a positive discussion? 

I have dumped Zwift and am using Rouvy for my indoor rides.  There is much more variety and much less crowded.  I have been indoors for five weeks (no outdoor riding in the snow).  Cycling is a low-impact aerobic activity that can benefit a person's health and fitness.  It is a valuable exercise that many people can incorporate into their daily lives as a mode of transport, everyday activity, or competitive sport.  It is a popular physical activity that is relatively easy to start and suitable for most fitness levels.

I averaged just under five rides a week, ranging from 6 to 20 miles per ride. I linked it to my Strava; a sample ride can be seen here. Unfortunately, most of my activities in Strava are not public, so the general public cannot view all rides. I know the regular workouts are hard, and I feel better. Here is to continuing into 2020.   

I will get some additional exercise in the next two weeks. We had a massive tree fall and just missed the house. It must have been earlier this week when we had 50 MPH winds. I will not do any cutting tomorrow as the temperatures are forecast to be -6 as a high and -20 as a low.

I really need to get back into Photography. Work has decreased to about 48 hours a week over the past three months, down from the 60+ I have experienced over the past few years. I am finding ways to balance this more, especially as I am over two years from retiring. I continue to pray I make it to retirement, but with the pandemic and stress, we never know.

Enough ranting and typing without word continuity.  Overall, hope you are healthy and alive.  We can get through this someday.  Happy NEW YEAR!

Carry on, my friends, carry on...

Getting cold, crashed again

 I am fully aware that we are nearing another winter.  The high temperature later this week is in the 40s.  Yet, the clarity of the season's holds evades me as I have read so many "projections." One thing is for sure, as George Carlin would say, "I guarantee it will get colder followed by warmth in the future."

I think the outdoor bicycle season has ended—not a moment too soon, as I crashed the second time in two weeks.  The first resulted in many baby bruises, but this one took some flesh.  It hurt less than the first one.  The excellent aspect is that there was no significant damage to the bicycle, and I will heal. 

I have the Wahoo Kickr set up with my Surly Long Haul Trucker.  I currently have my Zwift account active, and today, I joined Rouvy for 6 months. I will drop the Zwift account soon.  They are both solid; I have many more route options in Rouvy.  Here is the last ride data.  https://www.strava.com/activities/6230292557  Rouvy has significantly more data, but I'm just wondering how to give public access.

One welcome life highlight is that work demands have slowed.  I feel so much better with the whole 48-hour week and one weekend day off!  I have already logged over 2,100 hours of rate per year, and this decrease in demand was needed.  I have been walking the burnt tightrope.

I did spend the last 10 days with the dog while Shelley was in Arkansas, spending time with her new grandchild. While there, she was able to experience the grandsons. With so many grandkids, I often wonder if we will ever do anything together again. That is life, not a complaint. The dog and I are accustomed to being in the big house alone. 

I hope you all stay healthy, happy, and wise.  

Carry on, friends, Carry on...

Cold, Zwift, a bird and the end of being a grandpa.

Outdoor riding is nearing the end of 2021.  Temps are not in the low 30s in the morning and high 40s/low 50s in the afternoon.  The afternoon ride would be enjoyable, not the morning ride.  Therefore, I moved my Surly Long Haul Trucker to the basement and set it up on the Wahoo Kickr.  I have used Zwift for the past two years, but I will try Rouvy this fall and see if I switch.

With no chance to work out for the past few days, I completed many yard work duties.  That is typical in the Minnesota fall weather, especially when I live in a heavily wooded area.

I did get out one day for fall photo pictures.  For years, I have marveled at friends who post bird pictures in their natural environment, which has continually impressed me.  I took my second bird photo this weekend in seven years and am still trying to succeed.  The first photo is from 2017, and the second is from this past weekend.  I will continue to hone that skill.

Friday, I looked at the past few posts and realized there was sad news I did not share.  Some know I had a grandson who was born with medical issues.  He was my only grandchild.  He needed care all his life, which ended on June 30, 2021.  It was unexpected; here is the obituary and the funeral video (not sure how long the video is posted.  

My son, Christopher, and his mother, Susan, are the primary adults with the strongest bond with Jacob.  This impacted them the most.  Unfortunately, in my life, I have experienced so much death.  My first experience was a 3rd-grade classmate, then in 7th grade, a suicide.  A friend tires in my high school yard, and shortly after, my 2-year-old nephew dies.  That is the start of many more experiences I wish I never encountered.  It is never easy, but it is easier if that makes sense.  

As a father, I am still concerned about my son, who is depressed yet holding it together.  As we have never communicated much, I am not sure I am much help.  All I can do is remind him, day by day, as they say.

Every day is a new beginning.  Take a deep breath, smile, and start again.   

Carry on, my friends, carry on...

Pain from bicycle crash

Based on the pain from my bicycle crash, I decided to go to the clinic for a medical diagnosis. Unfortunately, when I arrived, my general practitioner stated I was late for:

• My annual checkup should have been in July of 2020 - a little late. (Done)
• Needed the Flu Vaccine (Done)
• Was supposed to have shingle vaccine (Passed)
• Needed the Pneumococcal vaccine (whatever that is?) (Done)
• Blood work - since 2017, I have battled anemia
• Late for the echocardiogram (was supposed to be September 2020, scheduled)
• Upper GI due to the hernia and pain (passed on this one)
• I spotted a growth on my right arm and left calf; they were concerned and set a dermatologist appointment in less than two weeks. Those usually take months. I have had these growths for over five years, and they occasionally ooze and bleed. I never was concerned, as they did not grow.

The most depressing fact is 311 pounds fully clothed with shoes. I still do not think I can fudge that and say under 300 naked? Holy cow, I need to drop at least 75 pounds or more. They suggested I consider medical options, yet I stated I would pass and try harder. My own guess is that my main issues are stress and work. Last year, I lost so much vacation time and worked just under 3,000 hours. Yes, do the math, averaging 8.2 hours a day, all 365 days. No time for myself. I only need over two years before I can retire. My most pressing concern is health insurance.

In addition, the political climate has made my job pure hell. There is no middle anymore—just aggressive left or right positions. Often, I am in the middle, blamed by both for the issue. The morale is lower than anything I have ever experienced. It is much lower than when the leadership change was completed six years ago. Again, I estimate I will retire in about 28 months or so. I just need to stay alive to get to that point.

I digressed, and I went back to the clinic visit. So many other points were emphasized, yet little was said about why I was there? I believe I have concussion symptoms, and my groin and bruises are very painful! There are hard, painful lumps on my thighs. Oh well, as they say, you can lead a horse to water, yet you can't make them drink. They looked at my chart and went everywhere except where I needed them to be.

October 17 was Shelley's birthday. She was excited when her older daughter and two grandchildren flew in for three days from Nashabull (as the 5-year-old says—Nashville). That was one of the best presents she could have on her birthday weekend. I was not even going to attempt to top their visit. 

However, I did go overboard and purchased a Kickr Core for her. I have one and love it in the winter with Zwift or Rouvy. She has expressed the difficulty of getting good biking leg strength over the winter for quite some time. Let's see if the level of use over the winter justifies the purchase.

With her being occupied, I could get out over the weekend and take some fall photos; below is a small sample.:

I need to get out more. I must leave the employment duties unfinished and take time for myself. That would be a healthy option, but I have always said people are waiting for staff to finish so they can initiate their work. Without it, the delay has rippling impacts. Yet, one person can't save the world; no one in the office notices or cares. So, for the past two weekends, I have only worked 5-8 hours on Saturday and Sunday combined, compared to the standard 10-15 hours. That is a start!

Tomorrow, I plan to ride my bicycle to work. The AM temperature forecast is 37 degrees, and the high will be 45. If I ride, it will be cold, which can sometimes be refreshing.

Carry on, my friend, carry on...

Over 9 months?

Nearing the second full year of COVID-19 issues, I pray all remain healthy. Striking a few years have nearly passed, and I can only wonder.  Minor updates are well overdue.  Major updates?

In the spring of 2020, I decided to stop looking at Facebook. The divisiveness caused by friends and emotions was not healthy. I made a political joke and immediately had a few friends and blocks. IT WAS A JOKE.

In November 2020, I stated I would not cut my hair or shave until I was vaccinated.  In early April 2020, I shaved and had a haircut.  Here are some images to chuckle over,

Three weeks before I cut my hair.

My son said he thinks I resemble someone?

I bet I would be questioned about getting on an airplane.

This summer, I have attempted to bicycle as much as possible.  However, working from home and being busy meant about twice a week. I had lost 10 pounds since last summer compared to today when I went to the doctor for the annual checkup.  Of course, it's not a good time to go for a yearly checkup, as I crashed the bike on Friday.  Slight concussion and the body was bruised severely.  I was disoriented and took a few days to feel better in the head.  I went right over the handlebars, and the rear tire followed me.  A long story of how it happened, a summary that was too fast and had a limited sight distance.  Below is a picture of my left leg; the right is slightly less beat up.

Some things I miss and learned along the way.

• Do I no longer see Maria Barton strolling by the house on her runs in the morning? I hope she is still doing fine.
• I no longer see the people in the neighborhood as much as we all crawled into a cave.
• The bullying and divisive tactics of the past President have created a divide among friends.
• Never imagined families who once were great friends now hate each other over a vaccine.
• I do not see events where old friends can catch up and enjoy a day.
• The cancel culture has us all afraid to talk.  I even had someone chastise me for opening a door for a female.  They said I was saying she was a weaker person and an insult.  So, I guess that is not appropriate?
• I was told that complimenting someone on their literacy was a microaggression and never to say that again.
• I miss people caring for one another instead of making themselves look better by bringing others down.

I took some time off after losing over 120 hours of vacation from March 2020 to April 2021. In April, I flew to Houston to help my son and his Girlfriend move to Cary, North Carolina, a GREAT city. I desire to visit Cary more than I ever did Houston. That was a challenging yet lovely two weeks.

My Girlfriend Shelley had a tough year.  Her life enjoyment was over the top as both her daughters lived close by, and she could see the granddaughters and grandsons whenever she wanted.  Then, her oldest daughter moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and about nine months later, her youngest moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas.  She has lost so much of her happiness and cries often.  She puts on an excellent front for her daughters, significantly changing her.  And not for the better.  It was not like they had to move; they all had great jobs; they just desired to relocate.  I wonder if they will ever understand the pain they caused their mother?  I doubt it, and I want to tell them, but what good will serve.  I hate to see Shelley so sad.

I could say so much more, yet it may get too long. As I assume many, there are more downs caused by COVID-19 and the politically divisive atmosphere than ups. The main point is that despite highs and lows, we are still alive and taking each day as a gift.

Carry on, my friends, carry on!