Jim's Trek V, my exercise journey now on my Schwinn 170 from Tampa to parts unknown...

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Day 449 – (AD 879) – 22.2 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – Continuing on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled 22.2 miles on my Schwinn 170. My totals are now registered at 18,394.9 miles; 29,603.8 kilometers.

I am now, the virtual part, located at 29 Northcliffe Terrace in Surfers Paradise in Queensland.


Countdown – 581 miles to go.

Blood sugar this morning dropped 12 points. I recorded 100 mg/dL.


And the little one said roll-over, roll-over…but take a deep breath, the count now of individuals who have filed a Statement of Candidacy with the FEC to register as a 2016 presidential candidate is (drum-roll, please) 434 plus 1. Yup NJ Governor Christie has announced. And all informed voting Americans will have the research and reading cut out for them for the next while. Just don’t forget to vote.


My brother Ray took a slick image of the reported waterspout at Clearwater this morning. I probably would have been running in the opposite direction.

Lawrence of Arabia is a bloody long film. It fits three and a third sessions of pedaling.

Just a note, I still do not like films of trudging in sand or snow… But I do like Omar Shariff.

This is my 940th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 71,978 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Monday, June 29, 2015

Day 448 – (AD 878) – 23.0 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – It’s Downhill Now on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning, once again I got on my Schwinn 170 and I pedaled another 23.0 miles. Grand total miles, for those following my Trek is now 18,372.7; 29,568.1 kilometers since I began on December 2nd, 2012. I have been pedaling on my Schwinn Fitness cycles 878 days. Spread over the time from that date I have rested, I believe, a total of 61 days.


I mentioned that I would be trying to stick to the Google Cycling Beta for the remainder of my Trek in Australia. I was able to get off the highway. Today I reached a location at about 52 Guara Grove in Pimpama, Queensland.

And the countdown begins. Just about 30 days, maybe a little less, remaining. And I have picked out the location for my new start of Jim’s Trek Part IV. All-things-being equal once I finish Part III I will still have another 23.8% of my overall journey and Trek to go.

My Google+ Page now has a new URL address - https://plus.google.com/+JimSmithJKLS/ .

My early blood sugar this morning was up 9 points to 112. Been trying to figure out the increase and of course I think I can narrow it down to my food at supper.

I had a large, and I mean a large helping of Shrimp Fried Rice, a good serving of Ina Garten’s Corn Salad, which I made of course.  Later, I pigged out on a batch of the first Hummus I have ever tried to make. It was so good and simple to make that I ate about a cup’s worth of the hummus on crackers. Just read at FitDay.com “if you're trying to lose weight or even just trying to watch the size of your waistline, eating carbs is not a good idea because they make you gain weight in a hurry. If you are actively dieting, you will want to avoid the carbohydrates in foods like hummus dip…

Corn, rice, plus hummus/chick peas equal increased carbs and blood glucose levels. Well I guess I live, I learn.

This is my 939th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 71,914 Pageviews. Pageviews are still standing at about 77 a day. Not bad concerning that this blog has nothing more to offer than a daily journal of an exercise trek and the occasional thoughts of a 63 ½ year-old gent.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Day 447 – (AD 877) – 22.4 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – Another Destination, Another Goal on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,


13.4 miles this morning, the first part of my pedaling and I reached my 19th of 20 destinations and goal points. And I continued on my Schwinn 170 for another 9.0 miles.

This morning I pedaled 22.4 miles on my Schwinn Fitness cycle. My totals are now at 18,349.7 miles; 29,531.0 kilometers.


Brisbane, Australia – my 19th destination and goal point. 

Continuing on, I am now located at Lot 197 Pacific Motorway. Not sure if I am supposed to be on the Motorway, cycling that is, but I will soon get off the highway. 3.3% left of my journey in Australia. I can taste the finish line and my 20th destination and goal point.


And what do you know? Its overcast at my location, and here at home in Tampa.

My viewing companion this morning was the beginning of Lawrence of Arabia.

No, I should not be labeled James of Australia or JKLS of Schwinn.

This is my 938th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 71,879 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Day 446 – (AD 876) – 22.4 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – Change of Route on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

And if I do not feel like getting on my Schwinn 170, I have the sagacity not to get on my Schwinn 170. But this morning, and no virtual pun intended, with the end of my Jim’s Trek Part III in the near Google distance I got on my Schwinn 170 and pedaled 22.4 miles. My totals now stand at 18,327.3 miles; 29,495.0 kilometers.

I decided to switch to the Google Cycling beta mode and I think I added about 9 miles to the distance to my next destination and goal point. I pedaled over this long bridge on Houghton Highway over Bramble Bay.


I am currently located on Nudgee Road in Brisbane, Queensland. Still another 12.7 miles to go to my next destination a goal point.


Just read an article at Pick The Brain by Hunter Nuttall. Hey there’s some synchronicity here…and this leads me to listen carefully for the Twilight Zone theme music. 

Check out the writer’s last name. It’s “Nuttall”. And I was born at the Nuttall Memorial Hospital in Jamaica.


Oh yeah the article is “3 Dangerous Words You Must Stop Saying Right Now”. It’s not fair.

I’m sorry but something is wrong, I’m mounting my soapbox.

Bristol Palin backed by abstinence group after announcing second pregnancy” (San Jose Mercury News, June 26) “The nonprofit Candie’s Foundation, which tries to raise awareness about teen parenthood…we can only offer our support to Bristol and her family…” Say what?

 

Okay, okay Miss, emphasis on the Miss, and I am not condemning Bristol for being a Miss or for becoming and announcing her pregnancy…but The Candie’s Foundation sort of dismisses and glances over the fact that at 19 Miss Bristol was “enormously helpful” and 5 years later… What the hell? And in 2009 she, Miss Palin received a $262,500 paycheck, recorded by the Foundation as an actual “business expense… for her role as an ambassador…” (Forbes, June 2015)  Is there something about this hypocrisy that I’m missing? Who’s spinning what?

But it is Neil Cole, the CEO and President of Iconix Brand, Inc (parent company of Candie’s) statement

We partnered with Bristol Palin because she is a lightning rod for stories like this… Because of this press, tonight families will be sitting around the table talking about teen pregnancy. If a few teens take action to prevent pregnancy because of this news story, it’s worth it.” 

Hell and damnation. What may be going through any young teenager’s mind may be “I can make a baby and get paid $262,500.”

Hypocrisy of the highest form…in my opinion. Period.

This is my 937th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 71,818 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Friday, June 26, 2015

Day 445 – (AD 875) – 23.6 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – Twice on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today I pedaled a total of 23.6 miles on my Schwinn 170. Grand totals – 18,304.9 miles; 29,459.0 kilometers.


I am headed south on Bruce Highway. My location is at Deception Bay Blvd. west of Deception Bay. The 2011 Census population was about 19,700. Just 23.8 miles left to go to my next destination. I have now completed 94.2% of my Jim’s Trek Part III – Australia.

The merry go-round is filling up. Which one of the 17 will grab the brass ring? Jindal has joined and keeps wondering why the others can only keeping spinning in circles. Will NJ’s Christie join the fray?


I have a couple of questions. (What’s new? No, that’s not my question.) If ISIS, the Islamic State, continues to massacre, exterminate, decimate, kill, and butcher other human beings and civilians, why do the pluralities of the major world powers not just eradicate their sphere of influence and paths of destruction? Why are the world politicians waiting for Arlo Guthrie’s rendition of Alice’s Restaurant to be found at the bottom of the ton of their muck and garbage?

Our illustrious governor of state, Meester Richard Scott, most definitely spends his time searching for Waldo? Recent media reports are inquiring “Where is Carlos (Waldo) López-Cantera?)

And AB’s carotid endarterectomy went better than expected. About a 6-inch zipper of stainless steel staples, sorry for the alliteration. I’m searching for a silver or platinum zipper toggle. Just a drastic way to go about getting a piercing.

This is my 936th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 71,776 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Day 444 ½ – (AD 874 ½) – 0.0 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – A Pause From My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today I will be taking the day off from pedaling. AB’s carotid endarterectomy takes precedence. I will be a good nurse. I will not be a good telephone operator.


I will be returning to my Trek in one or two or three days.

This is my 935th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 71,688 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek.  You can also email Andy at ABrunhammer.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Day 444 – (AD 874) – 22.3 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – Still on the Road On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today I pedaled another 22.3 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals – 18,281.3 miles; 29,421.0 kilometers.

I am headed south on Bruce Highway and I am located at a point in Bells Creek, Queensland. From the map it looks like I am somewhere just a bit west of Pelican Waters. There’s only 47.3 miles to go to get to my next destination and goal point.


And it looks like I will be finishing, as long as the creek don’t rise, Jim’s Trek III in about 30 days. I am antsy for Part III to hurry up and finish. I am beginning to wonder exactly where on this planet I’ll begin my virtual Part IV.

Last night I tried the new Bull Grill Steakhouse on Armenia in Tampa. And yes I continued to eat and eat and eat. And yes I imbibed half-a-bottle of red wine, which was included with the Groupon special.

And yes my early morning blood sugar spiked. It recorded at 130, up 39 points from the day before. Ya think that I didn’t enjoy the food? One of the best black bean stews with pork I’ve tasted…and a really, really good extra-large serving of Flan de Queso. Yup, 39 points. Would I return? Hell yes. But guess what I’ll be doing today?

What does this mean? Yes I love to eat. And yes I love food. For me, even after so much work at managing my diabetes it means that at any time I could just ignore the limitations and margins I have set for myself. For Jim Smith it means that managing my diet is a full-time job. And guess what I will be doing today?

Cannon's Flag Chart
Why is it that all of a sudden the media is so intense at reporting the issue of the argument of the “Confederate flag” which was reintroduced in Georgia as an element of the state flag in 1956? Focus just appears to be too, too intent on something that has been a controversial issue for some time since a close and similar version was rejected as the national Confederate flag in 1861. To some degree, my craw is just telling me that there is something else going on…that this heightened issue making headlines at this time may be just some sort of smoke screen.


Question – Why is it that a good percentage of persons believe that Florida is a place to migrate to wait on the grim reaper?

The Cliff House, by Australian firm Modscape (Image: Modscape)
Definition of frustration; (in other words what really sucks) – I start a somewhat intelligent visual, albeit television series that ends with a cliff hanger, and then the powers that be, as someone has determined that there will be no credible return on the initial investment, pulls the plug on continuing the series…and I am left in a lurch. If I was one of those with the cutting tool and if I was one of those with the power over the slash-and-burn, and with concern to the bottom line, I would only consider possible series that have a beginning and a plausible ending…and with the possibility of creating more episodes if and only if the go-ahead is given for additional seasons. I hate cliff-hanger with unresolved possibilities. Period.

This is my 934th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 71,650 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Day 443 – (AD 873) – 22.5 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – See I told Me So, On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled 22.5 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals on this 872nd day 18,259.0 miles; 29,385.1 kilometers.


I can be found, on my virtual Trek, somewhere on the M1 between Bridges and Yadina. Yadina is a “hinterland town” with an approximate population of about 2,221.


And yes I was able to offset my blood sugar from supper last night. This morning’s fasting blood sugar count was 91, 22 points lower than the previous days.

Recently, in an interview question I was asked how I offset and manage an increase and change in my blood sugar. I mentioned that I usually will look towards good, and I mean good Asian recipes and dishes. And as usual it worked last night. Managing blood sugar when one is diagnosed with diabetes 2 part of the battle is the recording of the numbers and the management of food intake. And of course the other half is the exercise.


Last night’s supper was at Yummy House on Waters Avenue: Mushroom and Bok Choy; Honey Walnut Chicken; Scallop Shrimp and Asparagus Stir-fry; and Eggrolls. And yes I left out the rice, purposely.

"Despite its origins, the swastika has become so widely associated with Nazi Germany that contemporary uses frequently incite controversy." (US Holocaust Memorial Museum)

Not addressing the negative(s) from the past. It is the present, near present and the future where symbols are representative, positive and/or negative, to certain segments of society. It is the closed minds who skew symbols to be representative of warped philosophies.

This is my 933rd post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 71,598 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Monday, June 22, 2015

Day 442 – (AD 872) – 22.6 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – Not Lost On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I cycled 22.6 miles on my Schwinn 170. My totals stack up at 18,236.5 miles; 29,348.9 kilometers.


Today on my 442nd day in Australia I am located on Coles Creek Road in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. No I am not lost I just decided that with juggling the real exercise and my virtual Trek after 872 days I may become a wee be discombobulated.

Day 441
And as I was saying I know I am beginning to lose it. I think I’m going crazy. I know that I cycled on Saturday, June 20th. I have the numbers recorded and I know I pedaled 22.3 miles. I took Sunday off. I can’t find my posting of the Saturday’s Jim’s Trek Day 441. Yesterday, Father’s Day I posted Day 441 ½. Where’s the illusive post and write up for Day 441?

And I have the mapping of my location, the location of my virtual position? But check out my biorhythms.

Hell where did Day 441’s posting go? Maybe I just didn’t write it up? I could have deleted it with the stroke of a key? And then again I may not have even written up Day 441.

Oh well today is Day 442. It is my 872nd day pedaling on my Schwinn Fitness cycles.

I have a question, which of course, could be a couple of questions. (And what makes this day any different?)

If in November 75% of Florida voters voted Yes to a constitutional amendment (Amendment 1) to dedicate $700 million for conservation and preservation why then 6 months, ½-a-year later has the Legislature only set aside 7.8% or $55 million?

Does not a mandated “Yes” mean Yes? Is this an example of the new Floridian core math curriculum standards and learning? When does 100% equal 7.8%?

Just wondering whether there’s something new in the world of electronics and telecommunication? According to the American Catholic dot org site the “Saint of the Day – is available on the iPhone!

Say what? Hey Pope Francis is pretty damn good and he does have a Masters Degree in Chemistry…but when did we get wireless connection to the saints? Oh yeah, today’s saint on the line is St. Thomas More. Yeah that’s the one beheaded by Henry VIII. So this peon and non-Catholic is just trying to understand if there’s an app or some sequence of buttons in Apple’s settings that I am missing. Anyone? Anyone? Any one? (This is god calling…) And AT&T is being sued?


Hell and damnation, I just did a search on saint and iPhone and received this message from American Catholic dot org – “Great news! The new and updated IOS version of Saint of the Day is here, you can download it from the app store. Android version coming very soon!” And you think that Amazon will be using drones to deliver???

Need to update our schedule and project listing of current quilts and wall-hangings. Stay tuned to Quilts SB for our progress and status.

This is my 932nd post, assuming that I lost June 20th. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 71,544 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Day 441 ½ – (AD 871 ½) – 0.0 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – Longest Father’s Day Not On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Sunrise over Stonehenge (PA)

Today is Father’s Day. Happy Father’s Day. And today is the longest day of the year.

And today I decided not to get on my Schwinn 170. Today is my legs’ day of rest.

Yes today is Father’s Day. It is a day to remember and celebrate fathers.

I am somewhat confused. Today is a special day but it is not a holiday. According to the New York Post and much of the media and many, many persons shepherded in the use of the English language by mass media and commercialism “It’s Father’s Day, but is he really hankering for another tie? Not according to Nielsen, which in honor of the holiday…”,  today is NOT a holiday. We are using an incorrect word. Today is not a holiday.

Merriam-Webster defines holiday as “a special day of celebration: a day when most people do not have to work.” And the definition continues “1 : Holy Day, 2 : a day on which one is exempt from work: specifically: a day marked by a general suspension of work in commemoration of an event, 3 chiefly British : vacation, and 4 : a period of exemption or relief…” Not one of the six definitions at Dictionary.com supports the New York Post use of the word holiday. The Oxford Dictionaries define it as “A Day of festivity or recreation when no work is done.” Period.

Bloody hell, if you must, change the definition.

It just so happens that Father’s Day which began in 1910 is fixed on a Sunday. There are 52 Sundays in a calendar year. In the Christian week it was, may have been set aside as the day of rest. It may be a holiday…but today in this world of 24/7 ALL people are not allowed to stay away from work.

Bloody hell, change the definition.

I say and celebrate Father’s Day…but please do not call it a holiday. It is a very special day. Happy Father’s Day. And bloody hell Halloween, Valentine's and St. Patrick’s Days are NOT holidays. These are festivities and merriments.

Happy Father’s Day, to all fathers on this day of celebration and merriments. Happy Father’s Day to all fathers on your day of recognition. And Happy Father’s Day to father’s and dads, both who are on a day off and those who have to work today. Enjoy your day.

This is my 932nd post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 71,429 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Friday, June 19, 2015

Day 440 – (AD 870) – 23.0 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Wonderful early evening sky in Tampa.

This morning I cycled another 23.0 miles on my Schwinn 170. Grand totals – 18,191.6 miles; 29,276.6 kilometers.


Today is my 440th day pedaling through Australia, virtually, of course. I am still located, headed south, on Cooloola Coast Road in the area of Tin Can Bay in Queensland. Just 135 miles to go to get to my next destination and goal point.

Royal Ascot 2015. Anyone need a plastic spoon? What ever happen to Sterling?  MCB, I think you need this chapeau to go with your Cha-Cha heels.


Question – Did any editor at Reuters.com really edit this byline and article before it went to press? “Delware governor signs bill decriminalizing pot: report… Delware Governor Jack Markell… The measure will allow individuals in Delware to possess up to an ounce of marijuana…” Wonder if the editors had more than the limit? Today’s electronic communication, word for the day is “spell-check”.

And this afternoon watched Jurassic World. Dino-Disney World, same plot line, same thing big and small scaly creatures eating other big and small scaly creatures as well as humans. 3-D and IMAX…even some semblance of similar music as the previous prequels. And if you live in Florida you may think that you’re watching a combo Animal World, Sea World, and Prehistoric Land with touches of Tomorrowland. Just watch for Jimmy Buffet carrying his two margaritas.



Begun design drafting for quilting of our completed top Joseph's Coat.


This is my 930th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 71,344 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Day 439 – (AD 869) – 22.3 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – Countdown to Part IV On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today, on my Schwinn 170, I cycled another 22.3 miles. My totals are: 18,168.6 miles; 29,239.6 kilometers. (I’m still getting used to my mechanical keyboard…with my PC, that is.)


On my virtual Trek I turned on to Cooloola Coast Road. I am in the Boonooroo Plains and still in Queensland. I believe this Road is just about 3 miles from the water of sorts.

157 more miles to my next destination and goal point.

34 more days.


Nice surprise yesterday at Diabetes.About.com – Can You Reverse Diabetes? Yes I am that Jim.

If it is not required attendance for school credit at Liberty University it may as well be $16.67 an hour actors for 3 hours of work. “Actors reportedly paid $50 a pop to cheer at Donald Trump’s presidential campaign announcement.

Hell, just think about the savings in paper costs. The only work to memorize “Yay!” (Don’t forget the exclamation sign.)

But all kidding aside, Vermin Supreme has considered putting his name at another presidential run in 2016.


Right now it appears that he has started a 20-city tour to get the monies to qualify for matching funds from the FEC.

Hey if the Donald is serious, why not the Vermin?





And I don’t expect any pearls of wisdom from myself today.


This is my 929th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 71,295 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek.

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim