I'm Baack

Yes, it's been a while since I posted. It's been one thing after another. From unsuccessful shoulder surgery to the busy end of the Fiscal Year, with a spectrum in-between. I am having fun with friends, regardless... just went to the beach and the National Naval Air museum, again.

This year-end is unusually busy due to the earlier furloughs (off every Friday) getting us behind in our work. Then the sequestration cutbacks' uncertainty made the program offices hold their money until year-end... at which point they had to send funds for work needed before the funds expired. Add to that the actual, real and regular work, as well as more task management, increased demands from supporting elements, delivery of reports, and, of course, next-FY planning with budget funds request. It's been very busy.

Last September, I brought down an old hiker guy off a mile-high Appalachian mountain. The 70-year-old had stability problems and was falling down backwards. I side-hugged him and locked-stepped him down in 6 1/2 hours. Not a smart thing to have done, in hindsight... should have called the rescue squad instead like we did this year on another old coot, because I only have one shoulder left.

Then, following that, in October, I got a virus/bacteria that required a double-dose of Prednisone steroid. It made me feel so good that I pressed more weight for more reps... like a young man. Not a smart thing to do either.

The shoulder hurt: Changing the car radio station hurt. Reaching for the glovebox was very painful. Grabbing something from the back seat was excruciating. I tried months of rest, ice, chiropractor, massage and etc.

The orthopedist did arthroscopic surgery... Resulting in lots of pain, complications, therapy and recovery... all for nothing, because the pain is still there. The orthopedist wanted to operate again and I understood what he wanted to do as deboning chicken, so I fired him, his physical therapist and the horse they rode in on.

I had kept up my hiking and riding. Am back to the gym, taking it easy and doing OK but avoiding overhead shoulder movements. Am doing my own therapy, trying different things out to see what works. My doctor wants me to go get a second opinion from another orthopedist.

My plan is to give it time to heal. It takes a while... everything takes a while to get over, physical or mental, so wish me luck and patience. In the meantime, I'm enjoying life and good friends.

I've been busy.


- copyright 2013 by Willy.

Old Friends

Old friend Amanda and I were having coffee yesterday, discussing various old age topics.

"I don't want to be a nuisance to anybody." I said.

"Well, it's too late for that!" she said.

"Haaa jaaa heee jeeeee!" we both roared, and kept on going like this for an hour or two.



Time flies, and regular coffee meetings with various old friends has become commonplace and very much something to look forward to. I'm sure we discuss the same topics, maybe even use the same jokes, and we always have fun. They are like a ray of sunshine.

And as healthy as regular cardio.


- © 2013 by Willy

We Built This City On...

Step class was peaking when that song played. "We built this city on rock and roll," went the harmony, on and on. Of course, it could have been rocket motors, breakfast cereal or sunshine. What is interesting is the possessive tense: We... with the cooperation of many.

I built this body, or is it that we build this body? Even as fiercely independent and proactive as I am, I have had lots of help from trainers, instructors, gyms, bicycles, shoes, God, McDonald's and Taco Bell... you name it. I spend far more time at gym, saddle and trail than waking time at home. I feel pretty needy sometimes. Whenever I need help with that last heavy press in the last set, I think of what my ex-wife did to me... and that takes the barbell home. So, even my ex helps me... if you call it that.  ;-)

- © 2013 by Willy

Are Engineers Autistic?

Well, yeah! Of course. All the good ones.

I have many times stated that I have the recipe to make an engineer, even mass produce them like pies. Just like an apple pie is made with apples on a crust, engineers are a cup each of Autism or Asperger, social awkwardness or extreme shyness, obsessive compulsiveness, attention deficit, hyperactivity, obsession, solitude, logic, causality, math, physics, and science... all mixed well and wrapped tight. Engineers are about machines and code. To an engineer, a strange object is to be understood, has many functions and possibilities, and brings fun.

Engineers always have paper and pen to write down their concepts for contemplation and tasks for execution. Properly channeled, hyperactivity is good. Engineers think in fast-changing concepts and fast moving 3D pictures, not slow words. When they do think of words, the words come in fast strings with numbers attached in correlated sequence and patterns. They crave information, and they observe... noticing not only detail but also the integrated large picture of how things fit and work. Engineers own many machines of varying types and a toolbox of code. Properly channeled, obsession is good. An engineer will obsess about diet and exercise when he sees the need for health and fitness. Engineers make like machines, and they don't miss a workout.

Engineers see solvable technical challenges but impossible people problems.

Engineers do not know how to relate to people other than themselves. They would rather be alone. Their heroes are Spock, Einstein and Asimov, not Hollywood nor NFL. They can't read others' feelings because feelings make no sense and get in the way. Music is for cardio pacing or mood therapy. Young engineers wonder what the heck others did in High School, and how could anybody ever get bored (the answer is that some flks wasted High School just talking). It is difficult for an engineer to start a gym class in step or yoga, or any non-engineering class. Engineers tolerate but don't like to go to movie theaters or anywhere people congregate but instead like the broad-spectrum of machines and their museums. A manager controlling an engineer makes the engineer bust a mental gut. To an engineer, a strange person is suspect, has few functions, negative possibilities, and brings nothing but trouble.

Engineers are mostly born from that recipe at birth, but may flounder until they figure it out. Borderline nerds and geeks have to be revealed to become engineers. What throws them over the edge is typically social in nature... the bullying; boys and girls making fun of them, tricking them and taking advantage; girls breaking their heart; and their families not understanding them nor supporting their views. Engineers ferl the people they love let them down... just the way everybody else feels. 

However, I stand corrected. It may be that the Autism portion of the engineer recipe is a cup and a half. It was pointed out to me that Cambridge's Autism Research Centre had created the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, or AQ, as a measure of the extent of autistic traits in adults... their 50 questions read exactly like what makes a good engineer. How funny is that! The test is at http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html

And that's my opinion, my observation, and my life.


- © 2013 by Willy

The Resolutions

"Does this work like the other one?" I heard the young husband ask his wife, pointing to the treadmill next to me at the gym. In front of me, a white haired old man was sweating heavily on the elliptic. Another White Hair was next to him, briefly standing on the pedals on a bike. A younger honey was running at the end. All these people were new. Last Saturday's step class was full... every step was taken. The gym has been full of new faces and new bodies: The Resolutions are here. Good for them. They give me a smile. I hope they stay, but few do. They are usually gone by March.

Every one of us has his or her own fitness level, and it does not matter what it is as long as we're trying, as long as we're exercising. Of course, this thinking will not win any races, but over-training days are over for me. I'm in the "don't risk injury" stage of life, or maybe it's "lift today so as to lift tomorrow" stage. I suspect that injuries are a big reason why most Resolutions drop out.

Another contribution to the dropout rate is boredom. To fight that, we use an mp3 player, watch TV, take classes, and hike and bike outside. Also, change exercises, machines or profiles fairly often.

Resolutions often ask how much exercise will show results. I have seen studies that say 10 minutes will do it (it's better than nothing). I don't believe in a minimum but rather a maximum: I exercise as much as I can, just not at a high intensity. Google this.

Again, self-motivation is key. A good alternative is classes but it's best to have a partner... or even a coach or personal trainer. Some of us need a strong hand.

Everyone is different. Be different and find your own level. Hike your own hike. Live your own life.


- © 2013 by Willy

Secret Fitness Techniques

Wow, this year went by so fast that it was a blur!

I was looking over my notes and trying to determine how I did with my resolutions this year. On the positive side: I lost weight/fat and improved muscle tone, and vastly improved my hiking endurance. On the negative side: I did not bicycle enough, I had knee and shoulder injuries, and I did not consume enough protein.

My resolution for this next year is to continue hikes and lifting as is, but increase protein and bicycling, and be more careful about injuries.

I wanted my self-discipline and self-motivation to be stellar this year but it was a year full of stress. Stress may be the reasons for the injuries and for a very long "cold," or maybe it was over-training. So, let's try it again next year, and every year, and let's use the same secret techniques that have produced a good work career for me. To remind myself, what to do...

Set goals. What worked well last year was a target waist size and related weight loss, a defined "easy" hike mileage, and increased reps... when my weightlifting buddy wasn't looking. Begin with the end in mind. At work, it's been the number of technical reports published.

Be proactive. What worked well before was to madly cross-train, using all off-work time (no hanging around the house watching TV!). Just do it, the Nike ads say. At work, my interest takes over. Nobody has to tell me what to do, since I'm doing it. Do keep in mind that I have a desk job.

Do not overdo it. Think no over-training injuries. Allow both the mind and the body to win. Think win-win. At work, it has been distributing success credit to others.

Key is playing nice, smiling, sharing, mentoring, being courageous, keeping integrity, and demonstrating patience... with myself and others at the gym, trail, road, and work/lab. However, I do admit that I avoid some people to...

Be happy, and stay happy. "Do what you can with what you got," is my mantra... and...

Remember to rest. Nothing beats eliminating drama and reducing stress, and thus getting good sleep. The body has to heal itself after the carnage. Add regular massage, too.

Shhh... those are my secrets. Don't tell anybody.


- © 2012 by Willy

P.S., a happy new year to you.

We Know What To Do

Yes, of course we all know what to do for health and fitness: Diet and exercise, through discipline and motivation. All the doctors agree. There's no secret and there's no magic. Specifically, what works is:

1. Don't smoke, and minimize alcohol, sugar and fat intake.

2. To lose weight, reduce the amount of what you eat.

3. To quit huffing and puffing, do more cardio.

3. To build muscle, lift weights.

4. To avoid back pain, do core/abs/yoga/stretch.

5. Hydrate well but drink water instead of sodas, teas, juice or whatever.

6. Reduce stress by keeping life simple.

To me, the key is discipline and motivation. Keep from eating that one cookie at work over Christmas because it would require an extra thirty minutes of cardio. And motivation is always best when I'm enjoying it... like doing cardio outside rather than inside, or lifting with a buddy rather than at home. All variations, like dieting group businesses, exist only due to lack of discipline and motivation.

It's simple; that's all there's to it. Just do it. It's discipline like a monk's. But be happy about it. I'm doing it.

- text © 2012 by Willy

Beautiful Weather

Mother nature's colors are drop dead gorgeous this Fall. It's been gorgeous weather for bicycling and hiking too. What a great time of year! The trick is not to overdo it... there's plenty of time ahead for adventure.

On the other hand, there's lots to do before the certainty of Winter and the possibility of bad weather arriving. Layers, headbands and gloves came out of the Winter box; plants are in; cars are waxed; external water shut off; but still need to bag leaves... after they all fall.

Being healthy and fit... and no longer being married to Satan... I can do whatever I want. It's time to make plans for Winter hiking in the Smokeys, Rockies, AT and elsewhere... I have virgin snowshoes to try out.

But first, a local, cold, early-morning bicycle ride tomorrow... and fun in the local wonderland.

- © 2012 by Willy

Rules for Nature

I'm an aged and seasoned adventurer. In my view, when you go out hiking and mountain biking, you are on Mother Nature's turf... her house, not ours... and thus there are rules of behavior to be followed by guests.

Pay attention and be nice to people, flora and fauna.

Stay on the trails. You do less damage to nature. And, if you get lost, rescue can find you. If you don't know your trails well, carry a map or GPS with you and/or an experienced person to teach you. Nobody wants to spend his time rescuing an idiot.

Snakes, spiders and bugs live there. It's their home, not yours... you're merely visiting. You're going to get bitten and stung. If you want to do something about it, DEET may work, but otherwise just accept it. Don't like spider webs? If you don't want to wave a stick in front of you for hours (and I don't), just accept that you're going to get a nasty bite every now and then. Snakes usually scurry off, but pay attention and be patient, especially if you're going fast. If you're in bear or moose country, pay even more attention and follow encounter procedure.

Other people share the trail with you. The ascending hiker has the right of way over the descending hiker. Note this: The rule is that hikers have the right of way over a bike, but a fast coming bicycle has more momentum, does not see well, can't hear and has less agility than a hiker... so be smart if you're the hiker and step off the trail to let the bike pass. If you stop for a break, get off the trail and take the bike with you, because you're not the only one there. If you do a #1 or, especially, a #2, get well off the trail.

Say hello, wave or tip your head to other hikers or bikers. I'll be one of them. Stick your head in the park office every now and then to say howdy, and appreciate what the rangers do.

If you see an obstacle, move it off or cut it back off the trail, if you can. Manicuring the trail is everybody's responsibility.

Introduce new people to the trails gradually and slowly, make sure they bring water and snacks, and take lots of breaks. Of course, you could impress them by showing off that you can hike 10 miles no-sweat, but they'll never come back.

If you multi-day backpack or bike, pack well to bring your own everything... be as independent as if you were solo. Use a checklist (besides the DEET, mine includes duct tape around my hiking pole). Do not depend on others in your party to take care of you.

Don't like this? Then stay in the city. These are my opinions, for your consideration. Be considerate. To some, a trail is just a trail but to me it's my back yard. Hope you enjoy it.

Don't forget to smile!


- © 2012 by Willy

Brainwashing

Brainwashing by Madison Avenue advertisers through our television is getting worse. Not only is there more ad time, but the content itself has built-in ads... spin, they sometimes call it... as reported by the media itself. It's funny, isn't it? What's not funny is that repetition works. If you hear an untruth often times enough, it does a job on your head and you believe the tripe. Not just that this gadget is excellent but that their candidate is too.

They make things up and we follow blindly.

Brainwashing is deception, and it's not just bad for your mental health, but for life and country too.

I'm glad that many years ago I got a digital video recorder. At least I can fast-forward through the obvious ads. I just have to be vigilant about the built-in/spin in news and other TV content... and think.

Mainstream news media is harmful if swallowed. Think!

- © 2012 by Willy

On Solitude

There is no one waiting by the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, and there will never be. I have a very comfortable solitary life elsewhere, and I like it this way.

There is a big difference between solitude and loneliness... a matter of choice. Loneliness is depression, whereas choosing solitude is enjoyment... for time at work, bicycles, mountains and gyms with a better sense, clearer mind and healthier body. I sleep better, see more, feel better and enjoy life.

I have analyzed my ex-wife and my other relationships. I now realized that I am blessed not to be encumbered by them. I have no albatross around my neck... and want none ever more.

I used to think that it was a tradeoff, a balance between joys and sorrows, but I now realize that there was only short-term joy and long-term sorrow.

The monks are correct in their solitude, however, even THEY pledge obedience to their abbot... the head monk. No way!


- © 2012 by Willy

P.S., No way!

On Silence

Yes, silence as in peace and quiet.

Yes, silence like mother nature... and silence like monks do too.

Silence makes me more conscious and mindful, so I'm paying closer attention and feel more connected to the world around me. When we stop talking and turn inward, we tap into vast reserves of energy that we’d otherwise be spewing into the world. I know where I can find the silence: where it’s always been, outside, on the trails. I listen to to the birds, feet hitting the ground. I notice the way the sunlight is filtering through pine needles, and drink it in. Silence is a blessing. Silence is addictive. Silence is a performance-enhancing drug... from working to hiking it makes me better at everything I do.

- © 2012 by Willy

The Best Sweat

There came a time during an elliptic gym workout when it did no good to towel my face dry of sweat... more was immediately generated. Then the same was true when climbing steep trails. Now, especially, in Hot Yoga class... I just leave the sweat.

There also came a time when sweaty people looked better... more accomplished maybe; tougher; or perhaps birds of similar feather. Sweaty faces are the best looking. As they say, the best kind of sweat is the kind dripping from your face.

Finally, my office temperature felt cold enough for me to open a window, since I do not control the wing's thermostat... nor do I want to... and my office neighbors said that I was creating tornados at my door. I noticed that I only use my home air conditioner to sleep... and the heater is seldom used, period.

Then I got my epiphany: it's not just the sweat. I realized that I'd rather accept most situations, and be happy. And admire others who do the same.

It dawned on me that I am not sweating life. That life is no sweat. Life has become easy. This is, by far, the best sweat.

- text © 2012 by Willy

14-er and Wedding

Yes, I climbed my first Colorado fourteener, and the daughter got married, a couple of weeks ago.

 

The wedding went just fine, but there was a funny... we started the wedding without her mother. I walked daughter up to the altar and was in the pew before she noticed... then we had to stop and get on a cell to the cousin in charge of the pick up and found out that the ex just wasn't ready: she stood up the wedding. I'm glad I'm not married.

Of course, 14-er Mt Bierstadt was the easiest one so as to not risk drama to the daughter's wedding. Up 3300-climb-feet in 4 miles in 3 1/2 hours, then back down slow with a couple of interesting geezers in 4. In these 8 hours, I drank 2 quarts of water and ate lunch at the top (which was cold and windy), but it was a walk in the park. I even took crampons (which I did not need), but not the ice axe the daughter wanted me to carry (which would have been ridiculous). I'm glad I'm trained.

Life (ALL of it) is about training and conditioning. Next I do a hard climb, like Long's Peak, 6K ft in 7 miles and technical. I'm trained for it... life, solitude and Long's. I like what I am.

She made a lovely bride, and had a great party.

- © 2012 by Willy

Colloquialisms and Repetitions

The vernacular or colloquialism for the ubiquitous upper-booty tattoo is tramp stamp, which I learned from one of the sharp young people I mentor (I sometimes wonder if I learn more from them than they learn from me). This tat fact might have been actionable information for me thirty years ago but not now. We also discussed that brainwashing (frequent repetition) is not limited to Madison Avenue, to which she informed me that she already does that... tell all the boys, often, how cute she is. She also states that there is no kill switch on awesome, to which I could not help but LOL.

For twenty-one years I've worked out with younger Dallas, my brother from another mother, who continues to educate me as we press weight while I retell my experience... to laughs from both of us. Here, the reps are essential in order to stay huge.

I also repeat cardio to stay fit. While performing an early-season hike with my old buddy Ray last weekend, I praised him for his endurance (we did 12 miles and 2400 climb-feet in 6 hours). He replied that it was just putting one foot in front of the other, to which I remarked that this was true for life in general, and we both laughed while we bushwacked a shortcut.



Tomorrow is long and slow hike day, again. Today I did my usual early killer step class at the gym, some leftover weightlifting, got massaged and then again met a small group for an easy afternoon bike ride. I'm back to endos... mountain biking... besides my street rides and mountain hikes, whether in rain, wind and cold... or not. This year I'm training to bag a couple of 14ers in Colorado (hike to summit mountains above 14,000 feet). I'm bagging the peaks solo. My daughter says she's proud that I'm a badass. I'm tweaking my cold gear too... adding wicked crampons and killer ice axes, with which I'll boggle my neighbors' minds while aerating my front yard.

No matter the jargon, repetition and training are essential in life. It's all about having fun being bad... over and over again.



- © 2012 by Willy

Cabin Fever in Two Days

OK, I KNOW now that I'll never retire. I've been snowed in just two days and already have cabin fever.

My neighbor Joanne says it's that us guys are just not used to being home. She might have something there.

Businesses are closed but my next-door neighbor Randy tried to drive out and got stuck in the snow instead and my across-the-street neighbor Larry has cleared the snow off his driveway. There's about a foot of snow in places, which means our vehicles would just push snow forward like a plow.

The snow won't go anywhere until it warms up on Friday, which means that I'm going to have to do a foot patrol recon tomorrow, or I'll go nuts!

GO nuts?


- © 2011 by Willy

Goals Vs. Resolutions

I don't know all the answers but goal setting seems better than new year's resolutions. Goals force the discipline that enables the journey.

Also, goals like big hikes... instead of a resolution to stay fit... inspire and motivate me.

This year I'll be doing a two-week High Sierras hike besides the traditionally tough one-week hike with my daughter.

Last year I noticed that I'm going for quality of life. That is, I chose to avoid slow suicide due to overweight-related old-age problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks. And in order to do so I must stay fit through diet and exercise. This would give me independence in old age.

Besides, I enjoy nature, so I enjoy my long hikes... and being able to do them is a goal too. Circular logic, isn't it?

And having discipline with this helps me with "that." Lots of "that's."

I'll be using meditation and solitude with my discipline for training, but with a lot of community help.


- © 2010 by Willy

Ethnic Christmas

Us old Cubans make a big deal about having a family Christmas.

Like salmon, we all return to our spawning ground, Miami. This year my trek was by way of Ft Benning and Tampa. Last year we included Mobile and Jacksonville. Despite the work, bother and overload, deciding to attend was good and the family reunion was wonderful. It was fun seeing the family, retelling old stories and making new ones for our kids to tell later. For instance, my aunt told us that, as a young kid, I used to eat earthworms, a new revelation my daughter delighted in.

Family reunions are good mental health. And the bakery goods were delicious.


- text © 2010 by Willy

Watch The Nutrition

Two Alligators were sitting around the gym after their workout, talking nutrition.

The smaller Gator turned to the bigger one and said, "I can"t understand how you can be so much bigger than me. We're the same age, we were the same size as kids... I just don't get it."

"Well," said the big Gator, "what have you been eating?"

"Politicians, same as you," replied the small Gator [or Lawyers, Ex'es or whatever].

"Hmm... well, where do you catch them?"

"Down the other side of the swamp near the parking lot."

"Same here! How do you catch them?"

"Well, I crawl up under a car and wait for one to unlock the car door. Then I jump out, grab them by the leg, shake the crap out of them and eat them!"

"Ah!" says the big Gator, "I think I see your problem. You're not getting any real nourishment. See, by the time you finish shaking the crap out of a politician, there's nothing left but a briefcase."

---------

Moral of the story: (1) Watch what you eat... don't eat crap, (2) Bigger is not always better... some people and some Gators are just full of it, and (3) Maybe you're OK just the way you are.

From X-rays to Blood Tests

I'll be 60 very soon and my buddies bugged me about it, so I recently went and got a colonoscopy, prostate exam, blood test and etc. The cardiologist who did a baseline set of tests said I have the heart of a 25-year-old, but I did not tell him that (according to charts) I have more flexibility and can do more pushups & sit-ups, press more weights, and even hike & bike further than most 25-year-olds too... although much slower. Old age is a sport of persistence, endurance and determination.

The gastroenterologist said I'd need to get somebody to drive me home after the scope because I would not be able to drive. Negotiating, I said I'd bicycle or hike home, since it was half the distance I usually hike on weekends, but we settled on calling a taxi instead.

Turns out that the scope procedure was an assembly line and not too embarrassing. Matter of fact, I got a chuckle out of the nurses being concerned because my heart rate was less than 60 to which I replied that this was normal (they were worried they overdid pre-sedation). After that I was asked to roll over on my side, the lights went out and then it was time to call that cab.

The prostate exam was embarrassing only because it was a lady doctor sticking her thumb up my butt. But the real trauma or embarrassment to me was when I got the blood drawn, which was done by the X-ray lady, who told me she did both blood and X-rays. Evidently I have gone from breaking bones to needing blood testing.

It also illustrated that my definition of a young woman had changed as well as the line between being a flirt or a lecherous old man. Anyone younger than me is a kid, and older than me is an old fart, so there are more and more kids around nowadays.

I don't think I've ever waltzed around feeling young. My buddies always told me I drove my Vette like an old man, but then they blew their engines and I didn't.

The only time I've felt touched by mortality is when a '65 Buick and my motorcycle collided back in '82 and I stayed two weeks at the most expensive "motel" room in town (had breakfast in bed too), although I also have had many broken or sprained limbs, digits and ribs. Life has been a great adventure.

What we think of as aging is really symptoms of disuse due to lifestyle, but there is a line between doing and breaking that I no longer want to push.

So, now I get blood tests rather than X-rays from an attractive young woman with whom I hope I flirt with.

- © 2009 by Willy