Day 43+34– (AD 1,205) – 19.6 Miles – Jim’s Trek Part V –On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I cycled 19.6 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals – 25,750.6 miles; 41,441.7 kilometers. I still have 12,451 more miles to go. I wonder if I will make it before I turn 70.

And on the fair day, on Mars, that is, I have now pedaled 83 miles on my way to my next destination and goal point.

Soapbox –

Here is a thought. Before the November 8th election, (not that it can or should be enforced), but all Americans should take the time, before they cast a vote to see and/or read “The Man in The High Castle”. And the book was written in 1963.

Season 1  Season 2 is set for December 16.

Question –

With the avalanche of phone calls, emails and notices why should I donate to any candidate of his/her campaign when I cannot stand watching political ads on TV?

This is my 1,308th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 105,971 Pageviews. Checking Google Blogger stats on Jim’s Trek this morning, Pageviews for the month of September it looks like the total will be just shy of the 6,000 peak. This month is the most ever since I start this journey December 2012.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Have a healthy day and smile,

Jim

Day 42+33 – (AD 1,204) – 19.8 Miles – Jim’s Trek Part V – Exhausted On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I cycled 19.8 miles on my Schwinn 170. I really cannot believe that I have pedaled 25,731.0 miles; 41,410.1 kilometers.

And did you ever wonder where exactly I’m going on Mars? Hell, I haven’t got any clue, but I figured I would just keep going until I covered the total 13,300 miles.

This morning I have now completed 26.4% of the distance from Wabash Crater to Oxia Colles, my next goal and destination point. And I most assuredly have not chanced upon any other lifeform along the way.






Soapbox –

Only 40 days; 9 hours; 52 minutes; and 50 seconds to go, and then 24 hours after that there will be a new President-Elect.

If you were around in 1948, I wasn’t, or if you studied this bit of history in school, just remember this image. From the Chicago Tribune, Sep 28, 2016 by Tim Jones – “Dewey defeats Truman”,

"As a presidential candidate, Gov. Thomas Dewey of New York was not a glad-hander, not a flesh-presser. He was stiff and tended toward pomposity. “The only man who could strut sitting down” was the crack that made the rounds.”

Mild compared to the nouns and adjectives batted around these days in the media...and by some of the candidates.

This is my 1,307th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 105,495 Pageviews. Based on Google Blogger’s calculations each of my 1,307 posts receives an average of 80.7 Pageviews. Not bad for this strange a very little niche.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Have a healthy day and smile,

Jim

Day 41+32 – (AD 1,203) – 19.6 Miles – Jim’s Trek Part V – Making Sense On My Schwinn 170?

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled my Schwinn 170 19.6 miles. Totals: 25,711.2 miles; 41,378.2 kilometers.

My new workout routine of pedaling 3-4 times a week seems to be working, especially from previously cycling for 3 ½ years every single day, and not when I was sick or obliged to take the day off. The fact that I have given myself the option of either 3 or 4 days a week certainly gives me option to choose and not feel guilty, that I am shirking my self-demanding responsibility. Hope that makes sense?

The distance between the Wabash Crater and Oxia Colles, according to WolframAlpha, is sbout 240 miles. I have now cycled 18.2% of the distance.

Interesting Reading –

Just found out that the year in that I was born 1951 Alan Turing, “famous for his pioneering work with code-breaking during World War II… made the earliest known recording of machine-generated music in 1951.” Daddy’s Car.


Quatrz, Lab Notes “Researchers have restored the first computer-generated music – made by Alan Turing in 1951” Amy X. Wang, September 26, 2016.

Only in politics?

Oh I made a mistake. I forgot to include the tax calculation…CEO Heather Bresch. “Without the tax-related reduction, Mylan’s profits on the EpiPen two-pack would be closer to $160, or 60% higher than the figure the company gave Congress. The company sells about 4.1 million EpiPen two-packs in the U.S., analysts said.”

The Wall Street Journal, Business – “Mylan’s EpiPen Profit 60% Higher Than Told to Congress” – Mark Maremont, Sep 26, 2016.

Something is definitely screwy, I think with Google tracking. So far there has been a tremendous jump in Pageviews of Jim’s Trek for the month of September. To date, and there is 5 more days to go, the total number Pageviews for September is recorded at an all-time high of 4,679. I am flabbergasted.

This is my 1,306th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 104,977 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Have a healthy day and smile,

Jim

Day 40+32 – (AD 1,202) – 19.5 Miles – Jim’s Trek Part V – Still On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled 19.5 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals to date: 25,691.6 miles; 41,346.7 kilometers.

Two new prescribed meds have me as dizzy as hell and keeping off kilter, in the morning, when I try to walk. The warning label side-effects. I suppose this body just has to get use to the chemical imbalance flowing through my veins. But I figure that as I was only veering through traffic on a virtual journey I was pretty much safe to pedal for an hour this morning.

I have now pedaled 10% of the distance, 24 miles, between Wabash Crater and my next destination Oxia Colles.

Questions

How far can we trust politicians?

The New York Times, Sept. 23, 2016 by Matt Fletcher – “Ted Cruz Announces Support for Donald Trump”

"Senator Ted Cruz said on Friday that he would vote for Donald J. Trump for president, two months after Mr. Cruz pointedly declined to endorse his former rival in a speech at the Republican National Convention.

After many months of careful consideration, of prayer and searching my own conscience, I have decided that on Election Day, I will vote for the Republican nominee, Donald Trump,” Mr. Cruz wrote in a statement on Facebook."

Is political hypocrisy the norm? Especially at the pentultimate time of an election?

This is my 1,305th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 104,621 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Have a healthy day and smile,

Jim

Day 39+32 – (AD 1,201) – 19.7 Miles – Jim’s Trek Part V – Wabash Reached On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled another 19.7 miles on my Schwinn 170. (This is a recording.) Totals to date = 25,672.1 miles; 41,315.3 kilometers.

Today I reached my next destination and goal, the Wabash Crater.

And of course I continued on another 4.5 miles. My next goal point is Oxia Colles; about 240 miles, according to Wolfram Alpha, from Wabash. (I’m sort of unsure on how to find the North direction but this is Mars and I’m not too, too certain. T’wasn’t anything about that in the briefing manuals.)

I’m just gonna keep pedaling.

Tried a new and adjusted recipe, of course, in my Instant Pot – Pot Roast.

There are a number of ways, actually 390,000 results on Google on how to try and cook a Pot Roast. The one thing that I have learned so far, is that no matter what length of time advice is given I am going to have to “play” with the timing on the Instant Pot to eventually get a result that I will be completely satisfied.

For my Pot Roast I even cut adjusted the timing in 4 stages to cook:

1. Sirloin Roast, Onions, Garlic, Red Wine, Beef Stock, Herbes de Provence, Salt and Pepper – 40 minutes;
2. Added Potatoes and Carrots – 8 minutes; and
3. Added Zucchini and Mushrooms – 3 minutes; and
4. Gravy – 5 minutes.

Apart from the fact that the Potatoes and the Zucchini were just a wee bit overdone, the meal was excellent. I did not take any pictures because I had eaten my complete plate when I realized I had forgotten to record and image. This is definitely a scheduled repeat.

The good thing is that my early morning blood sugar dropped 12 points to 108 mg/dL.

This is my 1,303rd post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 103,835 Pageviews.

There has been a substantial increase in the number of daily Pageviews to Jim’s Trek as recorded by Google Blogger this month so far. I had been averaging about 60+ a day and it seems to have jumped up to about 180+ daily. Thanks.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Have a healthy day and smile,

Jim

Day 38+31 – (AD 1,199) – 19.6 Miles – Jim’s Trek Part V – On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I cycled 19.6 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals – 25,652.4 miles; 41,283.6 kilometers.

I am now 84.0% of the way to my next destination and goal point. I have now pedaled, virtually, 750.8 miles on Mars. And yes I have only completed 5.65% of my Martian goal.

Last night’s supper was a reasonable attempt at a Thai Kabocha Squash Curry with Cauliflower, Zucchini, Chinese Broccoli, and Tomato. The results of my early morning blood sugar was down by 2 points from the previous count.

The recipe I altered was for Thai Kabocha Squash Curry with Cauliflower and Kale.

This is my 1,302nd post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 103,450 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Have a healthy day and smile,

Jim

Day 37+31 – (AD 1,198) – 20.0 Miles – Jim’s Trek Part V – On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Today, even though I am feeling old, I pedaled another 20.0 miles on my Schwinn 170. Yes, I know I have committed myself to a total 38,300 miles on this crazy Trek of mine. To date I have now pedaled on my Schwinn Fitness cycles 25,632.8 miles; the equivalent of 41,252.1 kilometers.

I have now completed 66.9% of the total. That part of the journey has taken me 1,198 pedaling days since December 3, 2012. Based on my calculations I will be pedaling for at least another 628 days, that is, without any resting days…on Mars, of course.

I can almost see my next destination and goal point at the Wabash Crater from my current location. I have traveled 165.2 from my last destination, the Taxco Crater.

No-Knead Bread fresh out of the oven #167 – Whole Wheat Caraway

And we’ve posted our 145th quilt – Hope Cures! at our site Quilts SB.

Hope Cures! - JS AB - August 2016

This is my 1,302nd post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 103,279 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Have a healthy day and smile,

Jim

Day 36+30 – (AD 1,197) – 19.7 Miles – Jim’s Trek Part V – On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning, (yes I still am pedaling), I pedaled 19.7 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals: 25,612.8 miles; 41,219.9 kilometers.

I have now completed 711.2 miles on Part V of my Trek, (that’s the real part), on Mars (that’s the virtual reality part). I now have 12,588.8 more miles remaining in order for me to complete my overall goal.

I am still always amazed at what individuals will share and post on their personal pages in social media. Do I get a glimpse into one’s credos and beliefs? At times this is a hint, especially when one is hell bent on believing that one has the right and the authority to share each thing and statement that may tickle his or her fancy. Would-be religious zealots seem to be a prime example. At times it can become an electronic means of the blind leading the blind.

In my opinion, it is astute that whatever one shares that one attempts to understand what they are trying to pass on and convey. I’m not taking sides on what a person is attempting to say and/or proselytize. And I’m not saying that anyone does not have the right to post whatever they want on their own personal page or little corner of the social media world.

All-things-being-equal one’s social media friends are their own sphere of reference, their own notice of contacts, whether in the same house/family or a friend 5,000-miles away. Social media is today’s electronic form of soapboxing. Think of it as you standing on the street corner with a megaphone.

If one is trying to get a point across a bit of one’s thought process, or lack-thereof, is revealed. It may be important, (or maybe it is not), to understand in what one is trying to convey that one understands the material that one is sharing or passing on. I’m not talking about the puppy or kitten et al videos. I am writing about philosophical thought and logical point of views.

Because of these days of electronic communication, I am the type of person who attempts to try to get to know and understand the social friends and acquaintances that I am communicating or have invited to become a member of my circle of contacts. I enjoy discussing many topics. But I do find it somewhat tedious to have to listen, that is allow, those contacts who post and share inappropriate information and/or illogical statements within the realm of my social media environs.

Yes, it easy to block someone from my list of friends and social media acquaintances, but then I may be limiting myself to only those electronic friends that I feel are in agreement with me. I do not intend to do that. I enjoy a good logical discussion. I do not have to be right all the time. I am not trying to make any social media communication rules. I am attempting to convey that if you present something and maybe expect me as one of your friends and/or contacts to respond please ensure that you comprehend what it is that you are presenting and/or sharing.

This is my 1,301st post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 102,941 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Have a healthy day and smile,

Jim

Day 35+29 – (AD 1,196) – 20.3 Miles – Jim’s Trek Part V – On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled another 20.3 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals to date: 25,593.1 miles; 41,188.2 kilometers.

And today I have now completed 57.0% of the virtual part of my journey between the Craters Taxco and Wabash. In total I have pedaled 691.5 miles or 1,112.9 kilometers on the surface of Mars. (Progress seems to be going a wee bit slower.)

A definite plus and I added to my electronic list of recipes completed – Savory Corn, Leek and Kale Clafoutis

Found a similar recipe for this Savory Corn, Leek and Kale Clafoutis at CookingNYtimes.com I didn’t have any Swiss Chard so I substituted Kale. This meal was “out of the world to die for”. Sort of a cross between a quiche and a frittata. And the plus is that my early morning blood sugar dropped by 11 points.

Tonight I try Sake-Steamed Chicken and Kabocha Squash.

Soapbox –

Would be nice if the other percentage of possible voters would set a November 8th goal this year...

This is my 1,300th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 102,524 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Have a healthy day and smile,

Jim

Day 34+29 – (AD 1,195) – 20.0 Miles – Jim’s Trek Part V – On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

Yesterday I cycled 20.0 miles on my Schwinn 170. This is my 1,195th day of pedaling. Totals: 25,572.8 miles; 41,155.5 kilometers. I have also now completed 5.05% of my overall Part V goal. And this morning I completed my 200 sit-ups.

I guess pedaling on Mars is sort of lonely trek. I have now pedaled 1,080.2 miles on this red planet.

I have been maintaining a sort-of constant early morning blood sugar count these past number of days. This morning’s stayed flat to the day before at 110 mg/dL. I know I have to try and drop my average to the range of about 90.

Clearance from doctor on my semi-annual check-up; all systems still a-go...and should keep going.

Last night’s supper included –

Thai Cucumber Salad

Chicken Broccoli Long Bean Stir Fry with Jasmine Rice

Chocolate Chip Yogurt Zucchini Cake with Chocolate Ganache

Yes, I am the cook, and it looked like a green and brown meal.  Tonight's supper is an attempt at a Savory Clafoutis; sort-of a cross between a cheescake and a frittata.  Will let you know.

This is my 1,299th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 102,230 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Have a healthy day and smile,

Jim

Day 33+27 – (AD 1,194) – 19.6 Miles – Jim’s Trek Part V – On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I pedaled 19.6 miles on Schwinn 170. Totals = 25,552.8 miles; 41,123.3 kilometers.

I have now cycled 38.7% of the distance between the Taxco and Wabash Craters.

Soapbox –

There was a question whirling around in my head this morning, as I stepped outside with The Pack for their early morning walk and daily rituals.

What is the real reason that I want to make sure that I vote in the upcoming election?

Am I supporting and hope to cast a vote for my choice of the next President of the United States? Yes.

Am I voting because I do not want to see a specific person at the helm of this government? Probably.

Am I considering voting because I am a secure and strong party supporter? Maybe. Maybe not.

Do I vote because it is the right thing to do? Hell no.

Am I casting my ballot because I like the way one specific candidate is able to speak with a clear and resounding train of thought? I do think about that.

Is my vote for the candidate with the better hair-style? Say what?

Am I voting to make sure that the candidate who I consider is my apparent logical choice? Yes.

Is my vote a logical one? I would like to hope so?

Am I voting because of the gender or race of a specific candidate? Definitely not.

Am I filling in the oval circle for the one candidate I consider to be a decent person? This one’s a hard question to answer, but I would hope so?

Do I cast my ballot because I know, I hope, I pray that my choice for an office will represent me? Yes.

Am I voting, either in person or via mail, (one day soon, hopefully, electronically) for that candidate that I think should best represent my own interests? Selfishly, yes.

Do I consider for the best candidate to represent me and my neighbors? That should be a given, but do I really care about my neighbors…across the street, in the next similar community, in that area of town that truly needs support, for the farmer/worker like myself is struggling to make ends meet? I really hadn’t considered that.

Am I voting because I just do not like that other person?

Am I voting because I want to see change?

Or because I like status quo?

Do I really understand the logical and selfless reasons that a named candidate hopes to attain one political office? I bloody-well hope so. If not, I should.

Can I vote with a clear conscience for a candidate who would support and serve all of his/her constituents? I think so.

Can I make a logical and educated choice? If I don’t, bloody well help these United States of America.

#Vote, #jklsmith

House/Studio/Sweat Shop?

This is my 1,298th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 101,469 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Have a healthy day and smile,

Jim

Day 32+26 – (AD 1,193) – 20.4 Miles – Jim’s Trek Part V – 1,016.5 Miles On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

This morning I cycled 20.4 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals to date: 25,533.2 miles; 41,091.8 kilometers.

Today I surpassed the 1,000-mile mark on Mars. Actual distance so far 1,016.5 miles. I also have completed 29.8% of the distance between Taxco and Wabash Craters.

And now too, 101,054 Pageviews. Thanks all.

Soapbox –

Who do I want to represent me as President of the country where I live? The choices are not what I would had hoped. It has come down to the decision - “Damn. I certainly do not want that candidate representing me, or the country I chose to live in.” And then there is the question “What will happen to the country, over the next 4 years, if the least executive candidate does get elected?”

I think of all the corporate training that I had over the past years, the training of how to conduct oneself in the realms of position, and I wonder how this will all go down the drain as this will be our example that we as a nation will be presenting to the summits and the meetings of the world.

I think of “executive office holders” such as Idi Amin Dada. I remember making a conscious choice that I would never ever want to move or travel to Uganda. I know that was an extreme decision, but it was a decision that I had the opportunity to make.

Will the next President of these United States evoke my respect and support? Do I have pride in the person I vote for to represent me to the country of my birth and the other countries where I have lived? Can I see other countries respecting the Office of our chief representative?

Just think for a moment. The media has reported on the current conduct of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The respect is dwindling, and our new Commander-in-Chief has not even crossed the threshold of the Oval Office.

It is key that I vote. With the free and unbridled privilege that I have that I not sit back and figure that my voice does not count. I will vote.

This is my 1,297th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 101,054 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Have a healthy day and smile,

Jim

Day 31+25– (AD 1,192) – 19.6 Miles – Jim’s Trek Part V – Labor Day On My Schwinn 170

Good Day,

I bring out the camera, and Bella always poses.

Today I pedaled 19.6 miles on my Schwinn 170. (Yes, this is a recording, and it could not get any more boring than this.) My updates – Grand total = 25,512.8 miles; 41,059.0 kilometers; Part V total = 611.2 miles; 983.6 kilometers.

I have now completed, virtually of course in a real way, sort-of, 20.5% of the distance between Taxco and Wabash Craters.

Wish List –

At $3,323 I think I will get 2 sets.

CNNStyle – (Sep 4, 2016), Stella Ko – “Designer penciles? Inside Karl Lagerfeld’s $3,000 Art Kit”

We’re working and re-working our new quilt “TBD”. The top/background has been sewn. Now to begin attaching the elements of our design.

Soapbox –

FiveThirtyEight – “13 Tips For Reading General Election Polls Like A Pro”, Harry Enten, Sep. 2,

1. Beware of polls tagged “bombshells” or “stunners”
2. Instead, take an average.
3. Look for pools that use live interviewers; they have a better track record.
4. Know the polling firm – some are waaay betters than others.
5. Beware the unskewers.
6. Check what the pollster said previously. Some pollsters’ results lean more towards one part or the other.
7. Consider the motives of the media reporting on the polls.
8. Check to see if the poll includes third-party candidates.
9. Margin of error and sample size matter less than who’s in the sample, thought be wary if the sample size is smaller than 400.
10. Don’t get crazy about the Electoral College.
11. Still, aggregating the state polls usually provide a better idea of who is going to win than the national polls.
12. If the polls shift after the debates…wait. Short-term shifts in polls often reverse themselves.
13. Even at the end of the campaign, the polls probably won’t perfectly predict the results.

This is my 1,296th post. According to Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 100,583 Pageviews.

I welcome comments or thoughts or ideas. Please feel free to contact, email me at Jim’s Trek. (This link is my email address - jsmith58@gmail.com.)

Have a healthy day and smile,

Jim