Operating Temperature

After 12 minutes I shed my sweat jacket, and in another 10 off came the T-shirt. I was then at Operating Temperature and Pressure on the Precor elliptic.

I then raised the ramp to max, the load to 14 and continued on to finish my usual hour of cardio, followed up by a cool down.

I love riding and hiking outside because I enjoy Mother Nature, but I like indoor machines because I can load, instrument and gauge my progress. In either case, I warm up. Warming up and stretching is always required. Years ago I had tendonitis until I figured it out... the human machine has to ramp up or it breaks.

Of course, machines are the same way as my body in the sense that they need warming up too. Mash that accelerator hard right after you crank the car and you've taken a thousand miles off your car lifetime and you're looking for a blown head gasket, rod or main bearing.

There are differences, though. I found that part of the solution to healing my emotionally broken heart was to try to physiologically break it.

That is, give it a hard workout, make the sucker pump and take it to its limits. Associated with that was a serious diet that would allow me to do it. This is both different and the same from the warm up guideline in that both still need warm up, but my heart does adapt and grows stronger emotionally and physically, unlike my car.

I wish I could have somehow taken my heart to emotional Operating Temperature and Pressure before it broke earlier this year.

- © 2007 by Willy
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Happiness

Every now and then something happens and I forget what life's all about, but I know that part of the answer is happiness. Yes, there is enough happiness to go around, yes, God did intend for me to be happy, no matter what, and, yes, it's all in the attitude... but more too.

If happiness is going forward without reservation and without fear, if happiness is wanting and appreciating what I've already got (as compared to success, which is getting what you want), if happiness is liking what I do and liking myself, and still having the power of choice, then few married people are happy.

I'm happy now. Not just because I appreciate what I have, which I do. Not because I am able to hike the Grand Canyon in its rugged splendor, which I just did. But because I am enjoying the scenery of one of life's many detours.

I had grown numb waiting for the intimacy that never came, or the reciprocity that never happened. What I got instead was criticism and demands from my shallow and self-centered ex. I was insignificant to her other than as free rent. She's not what she appeared to be.

Life had been a challenge the last few years, but I rediscovered this year that happiness came down to being quietly content. There's happiness in solitude because there's nobody around to ruin it. My ex caused my happiness when she left. Wish she'd left years ago.

I now count my blessings rather than worry about our problems.

-©2007 by Willy
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Touchstones

I have a few Touchstones or constants in my life. One is me... me, my soul and my God will be with myself until I die and afterwards. Another are possessions like my 1973 Corvette, my 1971 Schwinn 10-speed and my books. A third Touchstone are my buddies and my family, not including relationships and marriages.

The Vette I ordered from the factory in Fall of 1972 and after gestation (came in 7 months later), I called it my firstborn. It's an object, but it's been there forever to the point that it's part of me. Selling it would be like cutting off a finger, same for the Schwinn. And books I've read and reread are old friends.

Touchstones make me feel comfortable. Touchstones give continuity and let me gauge both how far I've progressed, and how true I've stayed to my roots. These measurements are important functions for my mental health. I am definitely an engineer.

The two worse feelings I've had are going through my divorce in 1982 and when my fiance left me this year... but I had my Touchstones to keep me company.

In 1982 I took Vette and the clothes on my back, and started a new life doing different work in a different city nearby. Some of my buddies did not side with me due to poisoning from my ex wife. I quickly returned to town to bring up the kids when raising them became too much trouble for the ex. The poisoned individuals softened due to this and when they recognized the ex was certifiably crazy (she got social security disability). Some of these people are now part of my Touchstones again.

This year I stayed at home and work but did again lose some buddies due to the same poisoning by my ex fiance. As in 1982, the poisoned friends deserve my ex, and I truly hope they gag on her. Like in '82, some will eventually see The Truth, but I really don't care... I have my Touchstones. My family and true buddies know me well and saw through the lies, supported me and have helped both times around... although pills and psychologist were definitely needed this time and saved my life.

I went to visit the family elderly recently... which I do every year or two (have to go Touch the Stones, you know) and had the usual good time with my last elderly aunt, in a nursing home and having trouble walking. She has been downsizing for years and giving me family pictures, and now some history and stories which I taped and made into Touchstones.

I've got some new Touchstones from my latest friends. I had lunch with Charlie most days, for years and years, but he died of a heart attack in his sleep a few months back, a young man. I inherited some of Charlie's books, his kindness, and a lot of his work... and delight in knowing I do indeed have some of his own Touchstones. My good friend and mentor Walt, who is about to retire this month at age 73, taught me to be methodical, thorough and intolerant of fools... and recently gave me his Bode Slide Rule.

As I mentioned in a previous blog article, I am a melting pot of people I've met, and am proud of having their Touchstones in mind and shelf. I've seen my friends, and they are I.

-©2007 by Willy
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There's BS Everywhere

Surely you know that we live in an age of BS. When we listen to radio or TV, or read a newspaper, we're being fed mostly advertising, with just enough content to keep us interested. The boundary between ads and program is gone... we now have some ads that ARE merged with and are part of the program or content.

The only way to avoid this barrage is to leave the radio and TV off, or to stick your fingers in your ears as bullshit protectors.

It's not just where the camera shows some character drinking a specific brand of soft drink. An NBC news report tonight on sub-prime loans contained a dozen realtor and lender signs. One of the "3-second shot Cameos" was a banker, by-lined properly.

The TV news today was that Consumer's Report said Ford was increasing vehicle reliability. Can this be anything but an ad? How subjective is this?

I believe that we are bombarded every second of the day and night with ads, suggestions and commands... subtle or otherwise... not just from the media but also from our significant others, to influence and control us. Deception and Untruth are everywhere because there is no downside... deception works.

And thus the subtle poisoning of some of my friends by my "innocent" ex worked well too. I quit having lunch with acquaintances years ago because it ended up being a sales pitch for Amway, and I've quit committed relationships because they have all been cons.

This may be why I only watch TV that I've Tivo'ed and can fast-forward ads, why I prefer to ride and hike solo, and why I live by myself. There's comfort and relief in quietness.

- © 2007 by Willy

Hang On!

Life is good, but it does come at you fast sometimes... like a storm. About all you can do then is look for a place to honker down and ride it out.

But if at the time you find yourself at the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on!

The storm will soon pass.

-©2007 by Willy

Nothing Beats a Good Bike Ride

That's right: nothing. A lot of us think this way.

Just wait... you might too. The smartest man in the world said so. He also implied that most people are stupid. Take your choice.

You young whippersnappers, male or female, can think what you want, but I stand by my statement. Adrenalin production, coming fast down a tall mountain, trumps a roll in the sack or any kind of drug. And, because the ride lasts much longer than typical sexual antics, you enjoy it longer and you get fit to boot.

Although cuddling carbon isn't the same, other factors abound. That includes slowing down, being part of Mother Nature, taking in the sun, listening to the symphony of the birds, riding through falling fall leaves and greeting like-minded individuals. Even in a slow and flat ride, the little adrenalin boosted by the above factors increases happiness beyond expectations.

"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride." - John F. Kennedy.

Ride the bike.
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-©2007 by Willy
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Using Sex For Money

"Do you know how to tell if you're coming or going?" She purred. "Nooo, tell me." I said. "Cum is white, pee is yellow." She slowly said, smiling, pressing into me and keeping eye contact.

That conversation happened twenty five years ago, and not much has changed. Some people still flirt and charm, seducing and deceiving to get their way. It's still all about sex and money, and I expect it will always be.

The flirting and using sex to get money disgusts me (there's a common word for that, which I won't use here), but that's not the only method used... there's other ways to hook somebody. There really is a battle of the sexes: One want companionship and the other wants their money. That's because it's easier to flirt than go to school, embark upon a career, work hard and save money. And flirting and deceiving works well. Hell, just paying attention to somebody works well. We're suckers. We make the same mistake over and over again. We don't learn because we fall in love every 5 or 10 years, forgetting what it was like or hoping that this one is worth it. Mencken said that love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.

Part of this too is that the femme fatales are all different in their attacks. Sort of the way insurgents change the way they use IEDs in Iraq. Some femmes use innocence now as a tool, which works great against co-dependents. Some of this, it is claimed, is their own self-deception, but deception is deception, whether by hook or crook.

Of course, besides catching somebody, the flirting and charming could also be game playing, control and ego issues, or need for excitement. They should discover a bike ride over a mountain instead... adrenalin galore, great satisfaction and complete control over yourself and the bike.

My suggestion to young men is to save themselves... get a vasectomy now, while they can. That reduces the trauma and financial loss at the end. And might keep the femmes away too.

The only successful marriages I see are where the couple married young, right out of school, and grew together.

-©2007 by Willy
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Broken Tiles

Where are the broken tiles in my roof? Just what and where are my weak spots?

How can I live with such a leaky roof? How can I take the constant leaking? Besides me getting wet, the house will rot! Shouldn't I go climb right up in this rainstorm and cement those tiles?

Of course not... it's raining and the roof is slippery. It's best to ride out the storm and wait for a sunny day in which to climb up.

We all have good tiles and broken tiles... dreams and broken dreams... that make up the roof or our life.

And we have sunny days and rainy days. When it's sunny we forget about the broken tiles... until it rains again.

On the other hand, we have many good tiles too... the vast majority of the large number of tiles on our roof are good, whole, tiles.

Life is similar, we all have weak spots, and when it rains, there's a leak. It's OK, it's not a big deal... a couple of broken tiles are nothing.

Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections... mine and yours.


The tiles shown above are on the roof of the Hyatt Coral Gables, a high-buck top-of-the-line hotel in Miami. The hotel and the patrons don't seem too bothered by the leaks. And neither should we be... we're OK, and we can take a little rain when it storms. Overall, we're tougher than we think.

Let's not dwell on our broken tiles.

- © 2007 by Willy
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If We Are...

Yes, if we are what we eat, then I'm fast, cheap and easy. Yes, you've gotten this email a few times by now, but I really do agree with it. I am fast, cheap and easy... but is that all I am?

I am really a melting pot of every character I've met, of every column I've read, of every TV show I've watched, of every reference book in my shelf, of everywhere I've been. I can't say exactly what I am.

I'm fast because I'm hyperactive and I have to keep up with the world. I'm cheap because I had nothing when I was growing up and I've earned my pay, see no reason to throw away money. I'm easy because I do help a lot of people out, thinking it the reason why I'm still around. There are some problems with these traits... I have trouble turning it all off to sleep at night, my fiance blew up when I got her a 1-carat certified engagement ring at Wal-mart, and I do attract dependents.

I'm also well read like my friend Al, muscular like my workout buddy Dallas, tender like my cousin Mary, handy like in those Home Flip shows, conservative like O'Reilly, funny like Leno, smart like Wikipedia, and tough like Bounty.

I'd like to think that, on a good day, I'm also kind, positive, loving, and other good things. I also am afraid that I'm getting to be an old skeptic, and very set in my ways. But I know that the benefits outweigh the detriments. I hope and I pray that in my melting pot the good always outweigh the bad.

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-text © 2007 by Willy

Walk The Walk... but Ride The Bike

To me, a winner does more than his job, where a Loser says "I only work here." In the same way, a winner Walks The Walk, where a Loser just Talks The Talk. Those Losers can be very charming and convincing, but long-term observation will separate them from the winners. They can't keep up their appearances forever... eventually you notice that there's no Walk.

I've seen this at work, where the irresponsible Loser watches the clock to bolt out right at the 4 o'clock hour. The winners get their job done even if they stay late to solve a problem.

But I've most readily experienced Losers in a romantic relationship. Winners only can be sifted out when living together, where the charming Losers can be identified by their failure to live up to commitments. The trick is TO ACT once you know, instead of falling in love knowing damned well that you've got a Loser living with you now... creating a predicament. I've posted this to myself... so I can re-read it often and (yeah) remind myself to...

Walk the walk!

Somewhat related to this, our heat wave called Summer seems to have ended. I'm now freezing my butt on my initial morning bike commute... since I coast downhill towards work. Although the afternoon ride from work to gym, errands and back home is still nicely sunny, and now at a very pleasant temperature. Pretty soon I'll have to hunt for my shell!

I've been good to bike commute and/or go to gym on a daily basis, even though my home is being updated with new floors, new kitchen and interior paint... just like I'm changing my body also. I'm lucky if the painter hasn't covered my bed with books and other stuff that day as I get in late. I'm looking forward to a calmer household, which may take another month.

I used to worry about not getting enough riding miles, which is no more... bike commuting hits four birds with one stone, not only racking miles while conserving time and gas, but providing more of nature's magic tapestry of sights and sounds, as well as giving me time to think things through in therapeutic form. I recommend it highly.

A bike takes little maintenance, does what it should do, can't lie to me, doesn't overspend, can't bitch nor criticize nor boss me around, can't invite men over, and can't steal my prescriptions. Bikes are wonderful, especially compared to relationships. I love my bikes! I've considered selling my cars and just renting when I need one (Enterprise delivers), just like giving up women, but keeping my friendships, so...

Ride the bike!

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-©2007 by Willy

Compliments

Hello there! Glad you could drop in and glad to have you. You're looking very nice this evening.

Didn't that make you feel good? Of course! Everybody likes a friendly attitude and an honest compliment... you and me both. And, with the right attitude, there's always something positive and good to say to somebody or about somebody.

When I was a kid, my mother would browbeat me, slapping me on the head, yelling "Stand up straight!" Which made me feel bad, retreat and slump even more. If instead she would have said "You're a handsome fellow!" I would have felt ten foot tall, and would have acted like it.

Not much came from my ex but commands and criticism. The only compliments I ever got from her was after she left, in Dear John emails (I'm sure she felt magnanimous). Wish she'd left years ago.

It is always our choice to criticize or compliment each other. Putting me down made my mother and my ex feel better about themselves, who were both failures in life.

[An aside: There is a possibility of entering a co-dependency relationship while complimenting, so I've got to watch it, and give the compliments but always put the monkey on their back to feel better on their own.]

I finally "got it" only after leaving home as a young man: the Secret To Life is to smile, have a positive attitude, and compliment each other!

A corollary to that is not just to compliment but also to make the other person look good too... but that is for another day's blog.

What does smiling cost you? What does giving a compliment cost you? Nothing. How does it make you and me feel? Happy!

It's all about the attitude, and which attitude you pick is your choice. Love others, and choose a positive attitude. If you can't love them, then leave them, because they don't need your put-downs.

'Nuffsaid.

-©2007 by Willy
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Determination

Look inside you... How have you self-motivated yourself in life before? Where did you get the willpower to do things? How did you deal with a difficult matter? You have done something before, haven't you?

For me, determination comes out of setting a reachable goal and somehow talking myself into summoning enough will power and generating self-motivation into a critical mass that will take me over the top. Clubs and the right partners help tremendously, but it eventually takes a self-kick-in-the-butt to get going and do it. Mental steroids are difficult to find, but they are there and they work. Once that critical mass is reached, then it is much easier to stay in the groove or get even better.

But... enough already... how do you self-motivate?

I propose that you have to get hungry enough for something, and that in order to do this, you must be able to hit bottom. If mom, dad, spouse or fiance rescue you from bottom, then there IS no motivation. So, stay away from your co-dependents, put self-deception aside too, and get real.

To me, for losing weight you have to look at yourself in the mirror and go "yuck" a few times. For going to school to get a better job, understand that you are a career failure and don't make beans. For growth (Innocent at 40? Right.), admit that you have no maturity nor have ever accepted any responsibility. For dealing with a bitch, understand that you have to dump her.

And get In The Zone.

Again, to me, it's simple once you get there... if you want to diet, quit eating; if you want a better job, take a course; for growth, work hard at something; and if you want a better self-image, terminate your relationship with the critics! Or do all of the above. That's it. Just Do It!

The mouse in a maze is motivated by the smell of cheese in the opposite corner. Standing still is not an option if you are hungry (motivated) enough. He has several options to proceed: (1) obviously, take the lefts and rights to get there, (2) jump over and around the maze, and (3) brute force your way to the cheese. Similarly, we... you and I... have the same options, once motivated, i.e., work hard at it, finesse it, or go head-down and get there... or do all of the above, again. Use your head in more than one way.

Good luck... but don't call me.
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- © 2007 by Willy
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