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

Friday, July 31, 2015

Day 4 – (AD 909) – 22.3 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – I’m Not Bored on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today, for my boring report, I pedaled 22.3 miles on my Schwinn 170. Total count – 19,082.9 miles, 30,711.0 kilometers. And yes this is boring, but bloody well I'm consistent on my 909th day of cycling.


I have turned to the southeast on the N109 in the Coimbra District. I am located just north of Carriço in the adjoining District of Leiria. Google Maps now has me recorded with 108 miles remaining to my 1st destination and goal point.

And I have to remember that I am now pedaling, virtually, on the right-hand side of the road.

Countdown – 291 days

All we like sheep are led astray – Isaiah 53:6 (KJV). Yes I am using scripture for my own purpose of writing.


On October 16, 1869, workers in Cardiff, New York, unearthed what appeared to be the body of an ancient 10-foot tall petrified man.” So continues Evan Andrews October 16, 2014 article in History. “The Cardiff Giant Fools the Nation, 145 Years Ago”.


And today we have our Donald Trump: P.T. Barnum With Bad Hair, Mark Salter, Real Clear Politics, July 30, 2015. Will the American electorate wake up? “Either the phoniness in American politics has reached record levels or I’ve grown irremediably cynical in my old age.

My early morning blood sugar count dropped to 94. I ate one hell of a lot yesterday but I think I just made sure that my carbs were low.

Quilting for our new Roo Royale has been completed. Next step the binding. The new fabric from Spoonflower for our newest piece, It Is A Roo, has arrived. This is a first for us.


Also BW 2010 arrived safely home from its tour. The companion piece BW 1950 is still out there in delivery land.



Found three recipes I've got to try - Spicy Pork Bulgogi; Korean Spiced Kidney Beans; and Baby Potato JoRim.

This is my 971st post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 74,145 Pageviews. Daily Pageviews have dropped by 0.3 to 76.3. Some viewers must becoming somewhat bored.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is our email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Day 3 – (AD 908) – 22.3 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – Roti and Eyes in Portugal on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today I pedaled 22.3 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals recorded – 19,060.6 miles; 30,675.1 kilometers.



I am located at Estrada Florestal 1 on the virtual part of my journey. I think I am off the beaten path this morning. I am now 135 miles from my 1st destination and goal point. (Yes, I have 70 of these short stretch goals.)

Countdown - 292 pedaling days left.

Rotimatic
And I found a new gadget for my kitchen a rotimatic; a computerized roti making machine. But at US$999.00 I may have to wait until someone very, very nice gifts one to me.

Yup the first line of pre-orders has sold out. Roti brings back some memories, and now I can have my gadget and eat as well.

Check out the WSJ Video - "Can Algorithms Replace Mom's Home Cooking?"

Roti - Traditional Indian Flatbread

Question - If the eyes are the windows to one's soul, does someone have something to hide when s/he wears brilliantly colored sneakers/shoes? Steven Bancarz in his article "Scientists Discover That Eyes Are Windows To The Soul" writes

"It’s crazy to think how the markings on a person’s eyeball can reveal the most deep-rooted character traits of an individual...There was an extremely strong correlation between a person’s iris and their personality traits." 

Check out where your eyes go, in an immediate flash of a second, when you chance encounter someone with a brilliant colored set of shoes/sneakers. Are they trying to avoid, subconsciously or with intent, having you look at their eyes? Look into their soul?


Sorry about the pun.

This is my 970th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 74,082 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is our email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Day 2 – (AD 907) – 22.5 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – Continuing on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Yup, I got on my Schwinn 170 again this morning and I pedaled 22.5 miles. The numbers just keep increasing – 19,038.3 miles; 30,639.2 kilometers. This is the real part.

And now for the virtual part of this crazy Trek. This morning I made to and am located at Avenida José Estevão.



It looks like the Atlantic Ocean is on the west and the Ria de Aveiro is on the east, and yes I am heading south.



Countdown – 293 more pedaling days to go.

My blood sugar this early morning registered 94. The 6 point jump, not that it is much, could be because I had two helpings of the “General Tso’s Chicken” I created last night. I used the Simply Asia General Tso Stir-Fry Sauce packet and followed the recipe on the back. (I found the packet at my local Publix. Even though I probably have the majority of the listed ingredients for the sauce in my pantry, I thought what the hell.) Bottom line it was okay but it wasn’t anything like a typical General Tso’s Chicken from the local Chinese restaurant.

Smith's General Tso's Chicken



Check out the documentary “The Search For General Tso”.  Jiayang Fan writes in The New Yorker – “Searching For America With General Tso”, (March 2015).

It says something about Chinese food in America that it has emerged as a fixture in the traditions of other minorities, most spectacularly on Christmas, when consuming cartons of greasy lo mein is all but codified custom in Jewish households.”  


And if you’ve got 2 ½ plus hours to spare you should check out Steven Mango’s January 2014 YouTube presentation “Inside the Scientology Celebrity Center: An Ex-Parishioner Reveals All”. Very interesting. Yeah Clearwater.  Sis, boom, bah, the cult has bought Clearwater.


This is my 969th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 74,031 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is our email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Day 1 – (AD 906) – 4.7 + 21.6 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – Let The New Journey Begin on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,


Tampa humidity is at 93%.


The 7% lack thereof must the part where the condensation is running down the sliding glass patio door. (Yup there is a pool and patio table out there somewhere.)

This morning I’m back on my Schwinn 170. I pedaled 21.6 miles.

This all began as a lark. Today is my 906th day pedaling on my Schwinn Fitness cycles. Have I realized some benefits? Hell yes! Has my pedaling become a routine part of my life? Yes. Have I become somewhat obsessed? No sh@#$*. And I am certainly reaping my benefits.

Part I of Jim’s Trek was a challenge to pedal the equivalent mileage from Tampa, Florida to Seattle, Washington; 4,257.1 miles. Part II was the return trip home; 4,360.0 miles. Part III was my journey around and through Australia; 10,362.4 miles. (Yeah, that was a long haul, and a lot of Outback.) To date I have completed a total of 19,015.8, including the new Part IV miles.

I have completed 76.4 % of my total goal. Part IV will help me to reach 100% of my goal. It may have a degree of aimlessness but one thing for certain is that if I continue at this rate of daily pedaling I should be completing this Trek which I began on December 2, 2012 on about May 17, 2016.


And now for this morning’s language lesson; I began Part IV in Porto, Portugal. I am headed in a southerly direction to my 1st destination and goal point.

Comecei Parte IV, no Porto, Portugal. Estou indo na direcção sul, ao meu primeiro destino e objetivo ponto.

Obviously Google has become a part of my life.

Obviamente, o Google tornou-se uma parte da minha vida.

I carried over 4.7 miles from my last day of Part III and then virtually I flew over from Sydney, Australia to Porto, Portugal. Adding the 4.7 miles to today’s pedaling of 21.6 miles I am now located, headed in a southerly direction, at Avenida Dom Manuel I.



I think that Manuel I ruled as King of Portugal and the Algarves from 1495 to 1521…and during his reign Brazil was discovered by Pedro Álvares Cabral in about 1500. (Hell what can I say, language and history.)

And at this start of Jim’s Trek Part IV I have identified 70 destinations and goal points. As I speak Spanish and French and can stumble through Latin, I can see that this Trek may be a good time for me to pick up a couple more Romance languages. (Enough said.)

Como eu falo espanhol e francês e podem tropeçar através Latina, posso ver que este Trek pode ser uma boa hora para eu pegar mais algumas línguas românicas. (Disse o suficiente.) Thank you Google Translate.

This morning my fasting blood sugar count recorded at 88 mg/dL. I have now gone 740 days, (since July 18, 2013), without any diabetes medication.

Supper last night is definitely a repeat, anytime. Gnocchi, Shrimp, Green Peas, Green Onion, Arugula, Sofrito, Garlic, Olive Oil, Butter. Took no time at all to cook and plate.



The (my) No-Knead Bread formula – 3; ½; 1 ½; 1 ½; 450, 30, 15; Eat. KF I am anticipating a picture of your first.

And if you have that craving for something bacon…only $14.95

This is my 968th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 73,971 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is our email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Monday, July 27, 2015

Day ½ – (AD 905 ½) – 0.0 Miles – Jim's Trek Part IV – Let The New Journey Begin on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,



Today is a day of rest…for my pedaling legs, that is.  Yesterday's 4.7 miles is currently logged in on a holding pattern.



My Schwinn 170 is quiet.


Questions – Is not “crowdfunding” (for example – Kickstarter, etc. ) the same as “e-begging” or “panhandling”? Were not tent evangelists doing the same to build their temples and acquire their mansions and private jet-liners? Got to think about this as I heard a news clip of a person stating that she would be setting up a “ask-for-donations” web site and link to assist with a partner’s funeral costs and expenses.


More questions.  This morning's headline - Reuters Politics, Susan Heavey -

"Republican leader says party candidates shouldn't run as independents...The head of the Republican Party said on Monday party candidates running for the White House in 2016 should vow not to run as independents, a move that could give Democrats the edge in the presidential race.

My questions - Is this the crux of political fear? So how does Bernie Sanders "the longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history" fit to the Democratic Party?  Is this an antithesis?  Or just downward spinning political reasoning?

Quilting work continues on our new Roo Royale.

Roo Royale - JSAB, 2015 - Quilting in Progress

This is my 967th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 73,925 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is our email address.)

Be healthy and enjoy your day.

Jim

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Day 475 – (AD 905) – 23.6 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – That’s It Australia. I’m Off to Jim’s Trek Part IV on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today I cycled 23.6 miles on my Schwinn 170. My totals – 18,984.2 miles; 30,552.2 kilometers.

And this morning I have completed Jim’s Trek Part III – Australia. In a real world I pedaled 10,362.4 miles; 16,676.7 kilometers on my Schwinn Fitness cycles, and in my virtual Australia journey I cycled 10,362.4 miles; 16,676.7 kilometers.


I began Jim’s Trek III at Destination #1 at Sydney and I completed my virtual journey at Destination #20, Sydney.  It took me 475 days to pedal the virtual land down under.


What a hell of a different way to learn about Australia…

Australia - Jim's Trek Part III - My 20 Goal Points

Tomorrow I will take a day off.  I have pedaled for 31 days straight.  I have now completed 76.24% of my set goal.  And where do you think I will continue?  18.9 of the 23.6 miles from this morning's pedaling is the last leg of my Australian journey.  The additional 4.7 miles have been logged. Stay tuned for Jim's Trek Part IV.

Loaf #13 – White and Rice Flour.


Countdown: 53 more loaves. KF remember the formula - 3; ½ ; 1 ½ ; 1 ½ ; 450, 30, 15; Eat.


This is my 966th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 73,844 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, July 25, 2015

Day 474 – (AD 904) – 22.3 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – Anticipation in Australia on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,


The Ark is in the back yard.



This morning another 22.3 miles on my Schwinn 170. Grand totals recorded – 18,960.6 miles; 30,514.2 kilometers.


And I am located at 25-29 Bungan Head Road in Newport, New South Wales.

Countdown – 18.9 miles left. That’s it!

10 Cherished Beliefs of Highly Successful People, Jeff Haden

They believe success is inevitable only in hindsight…Success is never assured. Only in hindsight does it appear that way. If you're willing to work hard and persevere, who you are is more than enough. Don't measure yourself against other people. Pick a goal and measure yourself against that goal -- that is the only comparison that matters.

According to Kim Komando “Google Maps does something when you pester it.


Loaves #11 and #12 out of the oven. I made each in two parts.


This is my 965th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 73,786 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, July 24, 2015

Day 473 – (AD 903) – 22.6 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – 2 More Days in Australia on My Schwinn 170

Home street flooding at 10:30 am
Good Day,

And the flooding begins. Street in front of the house, in Tampa, at 10:30 am just up to the sidewalk.

This morning I pedaled, indoors, another 22.6 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals now stand at 18,938.3 miles; 30,478.3 kilometers.

I am currently located at 268 Scenic Highway in the Central Coast, New South Wales. I am now 42.1 miles within range of my final and last destination and goal point. All-things-being-equal 2 more days to go.


Loaves #11 and #12 prepped; 54 more to the habit.

And Grandpa will be babysitting this afternoon.

This is my 964th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 73,725 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, July 23, 2015

Day 472 – (AD 902) – 22.3 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – Counting on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today I pedaled 22.3 miles on my Schwinn 170.My totals - 18,915.7 miles; 30,441.9 kilometers.

I am traveling on the Pacific coast road and I am currently located on Elizabeth Bay Drive in the Bugewoi Peninsula, New South Wales.


My countdown clock has paused at 70.6 miles left to go.

Thank you for comments and questions. They always get me thinking. And to those of you who do use Social Media remember that there is no one dictating to you what you have to do, to think, to write. Your CPU does have an On/Off switch… and you can move your mouse cursor to the button.

Question - Why is that, (in my opinion), the fair percentage of persons who, at best like to consider themselves artists, are the ones most concerned with copyright issues and infringement?  Charles Caleb Colton did coin the phrase "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".  And Oscar Wilde chimed in that "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness."


Some persons have accused me for soap-boxing my political sidings and preferences. Obviously the maxim that readers only read and comprehend about 10% what they read holds fast and true. It has always been apparent that I have not in any way expressed my leanings on the political spectrum shy of my writing that I may be a Centrist who may swing to the left and/or to the right dependent upon my own understanding of any specific issue. My soap-boxing has always been about, or I have insinuated that, the lack of knowledge and logical thought processes of the mass and the electoral constituencies. If any so-called social media friend wants to delete the “friendship” connection that’s his/her business. Definitely no sweat off my back or off from any other part of my body.


I have been looking for something, some word to express that which I would like to achieve in our quilting designs. I believe finally, maybe and for the time, it is Cymatics. How do we transcribe that to the quilting echoes of our work. The earliest representation of Buddha was by his footprint, which seems to contain many interesting esoteric symbols that are redolent of cymatic pattern.

This is my 963rd post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 73,468 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

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Day 471 – (AD 901) – 23.2 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – Almost There on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Only 92 ½ more miles to go. I’m counting the Google inches.

This morning I pedaled 23.2 miles on my Schwinn 170. Total to date – 18,893.4 miles; 30,406.1 kilometers.


I cycled through Newcastle, stopped at Wharf Road


and then continued on to Ocean Street in the area of Whitebridge, New South Wales.

Now The Atlantic’s headline proclaims that “The 2016 U.S. Presidential Race: A Cheat Sheet. Ohio Governor John Kasich’s announcement Tuesday means the Republican field is now complete [sic]”.

A cheat sheet? Is this a subliminal message for advertising the newest of new maths? Does this number of candidates signpost a true reality of how confused the American electorate is and exponentially escalating about the state of its politics and governing expertise? 



Hell the FEC is currently listing 500 possible individuals who have filed a Statement of Candidacy, and we’ve got 16 months to weed and whack. I think I am going to learn Basic Mandarin…maybe that’ll help and point me to the right candidate.

(也许这会帮助,并指出我的合适人选 
Yěxǔ zhè huì bāngzhù, bìng zhǐchū wǒ de hé dí rénxuǎn)

Looks like I will be having surgery on my foot-bottom in a couple of weeks. Sonogram and MRIs are not revealing anything of immediate identification. The thing in the square's gotta come out.

What does it mean? I may have to rest for a couple of days at some point as I begin Part IV of my Jim’s Trek.

This is my 962nd post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 73,406 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, July 21, 2015

Day 470 – (AD 900) – 22.4 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – Keep Pedaling on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,


Today is my 900th day riding and pedaling my Schwinn Fitness cycles in 961 days. I began on December 2, 2012 and, if I can use the old math, I have rested a mere 61 days.

This morning I pedaled 22.4 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals – 18,870.2 miles; 30,368.7 kilometers.
 

And this morning I reversed direction and I am headed toward the south east. I am located at Lot 7 Medowie Road in Medowie, New South Wales.

Countdown – 117 miles.

My early morning blood sugar jumped 12 points to 112…still okay though, but the reason –

I made and devoured a major slice of my Yellow Blueberry Cake with Butter Cream Cheese Icing. And would you turn away from this?



This late morning, after cycling, I visited Where Minds, Machines and Masterpieces Meet at the Dali Museum. And next exhibit – Escher at The Dali.





CNN Politics - GOP to Trump: You crossed the line...


This is my 961st post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 73,346 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, July 20, 2015

Day 469 – (AD 899) – 22.4 Miles – Jim's Trek Part III – Countdown on My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled another 22.4 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals: 18,847.8 miles; 30,332.7 kilometers.


Today I am headed in a northwesterly direction…and if you have been following my Trek in any way you’ll note that I can switch directions at any day at a given point. This morning I am located at Myall Street in Tea Gardens, New South Wales.


Countdown – 131 miles, plus or minus, to go.

Running some errands today, no time to soap-box.


Loaves #9 and #10 completed.


Should be interesting trying my version of the Goetta.


Also tried to make a Yellow Blueberry Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese icing.


My blood sugar count rang in this morning at 100. Control. Control. Control.

This is my 960th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this morning, 73,257 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