Day 196 – (AD 423) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 20.7 Miles – Heading on South on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

Today I cycled 20.7 miles on my Schwinn 150.

And yes this blog may be boring...but this is my blog and my journal of my efforts to stick with a number of choices. (And I just over-emphasized that this is "my" blog.)  The choices that I made included using the internet to record for myself what I do and what I accomplish on a short span of my life and my trek, Jim's Trek. In days gone by I would have jotted all my goals and accomplishments and occasional thought in a notebook. Too many physical notebooks may have been somewhat cumbersome to carry on my Schwinn 150.The Cloud goes with me whereever I go.  Oh and by the way

Today I am now located on County Road 55/US-19 S/US-27 Alt S/US-98 S. I’m looking at the Google Maps satellite vantage point. I wonder if tourists get confused at reading Florida maps…or in this day and age all is just left to the computer voice in the GPS gizmo on the dashboard. The Google Maps image is from five years ago.

Last night’s supper: Sous-vide Beef Tenderloin with Kumquat Chutney, Tante Malka’s Potato Kugel Deluxe, and a Salad. It sounds extreme and there were one hell of a lot of dishes to clean up, but the meal was worth it. And my early morning blood sugar count came in at a stunning 87. Not that I do not like a good restaurant meal, I can almost guarantee that my blood sugar count will be lower when I take charge of my own cooking. Oh and by the way I found the recipe for Tante Malka's Potato Kugel Deluxe in Mollie Katzen's The New Enchanted Broccoli Forest, 2000.

I got into a conversation with someone about the concerns of using Facebook. Am I pro or con? Obviously I use it to announce new postings to each of my blogs. I also will use it to make some of points from time to time. But who is listening...or should I say reading? Facebook and other social media, from my perception fulfills my narcisistic need to expound. That's it in a nutshell. Do I care if there is anybody listening, albeit reading? Not really. I don't lose any sleep. But I do get the satisfaction of seeing my visual echo.

I did chance upon this flow chart on the October 2013 issue of Wired magazine... the paper version.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 195 – (AD 422) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 22.0 Miles – Headed South on US-19 on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

And today I cycled another 22.0 miles on my Schwinn 150. My grand total miles to date is now 8,443.1.

This morning I rounded Perry, Florida and am now headed south, on my virtual Trek on US-19 S/US-27 Alt S/US-98 S. All-things-being equal I only have 175.0 more miles and then I will be home. Damn, I can’t wait to see my mental odometer turn just over 8,600 miles. I still have my last to goal points, the 39th and the 40th but I am sure that I will feel some great sense of accomplishment. And then on to Jim’s Trek III.

Today I'm trying to determine whether this new thing is something of a big deal or something that I just need to make sure that I am aware of and watch. The thing cut from my forehead, just at my magnificent hairline, has proven to be malignant. And of course it has been cut out and frozen. At this time it is nothing to be too concerned about... but of course I need to know the definition of malignant.

From Merriman Webster Dictionary - Malignant - Medical: very serious and dangerous: tending or likely to grow and spread in a rapid and uncontrolled way that can cause death.

Well, so what next, Gloria Gaynor?



And then I see and absorb the amazing gift of Ethan Bortnick. Of course I had to search and learn about this young prodigy from Pembroke Pines, Florida. The Creator and or Creators have certainly passed on one tremendous gift.

My viewing companion of Breaking Bad is an episode that seems to be setting up some new story lines.

Work on our Warhol’s Itch is continuing at a pleating pace. We’re working on two new designs for our Hoffman pieces. Should prove interesting and something different. Glowing, our crocheted afghan has increased in length. Only about 22 more rows to go to complete the inner top.

My fasting blood sugar count this morning was 95. I am now rethinking and examining my eating habits. I think I need to reduce my body fat percentage.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 194 – (AD 421) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 21.0 Miles – Somewhere in the Panhandle on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

This morning I cycled an even 21.0 miles on my Schwinn 150. My total miles to date now equal 8,421.1.

Today I am located somewhere, still in the Panhandle of Florida, on Highway 30/98. I am still headed east and will soon come upon Caggage Grove Road.

Have you ever tried to do 100 sit-ups when four idiot Canines are each trying to get your undivided attention? And then Bella decides that she needs to commandeer my mouse pad. I would say that these mini-dogs control this house.

Has anyone with a Bright House subscription ever considered that the exorbitant subscription costs go to fund the Bright House station that is only available to Bright House customers? And is there one sub-par Bright House television link that we could do without?

Didn’t cook last night. Had to get to Jo-Ann’s to buy some more white cotton fabric and slip material. No, I am not dressing up in drag. We are still working on the design for our new Warhol’s Itch.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 193 – (AD 420) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 22.0 Miles – 8,400.1 Miles on My Schwinn 150?

Good Day,

Today I did it. I reached 8,400.1 miles on my Schwinn 150. And still I will continue… This morning I cycled 22.0 miles. And you know my next goal is, after I have reached my 40th goal point back again in Tampa. I have now decided that I must reach the 10,000 mile mark. Hell, who would have that this youngish but “elder-ish” gent would fix his gaze on such a mission.

This morning for some reason Google Maps has decided to express my coordinates: 30.192321,-84.105148. The map is telling me that I am virtually headed east on Hwy 30 E/FL-30 E/Rte 30 E/SR 30 E/State 30 E/State Hwy 30 E/US-98 E. Why so many 30s? And one lonely 98? Hasn't someone in Internetland realized that the AARP group are map-centric challenged?

The following chart maps my daily mileage, (blue line), and my waist measurement (red line). My waist measurement, since I began cycling on my Schwinn 150 on December 2, 2012, has gone down from 44 to 32 inches.

My belly measurement is now 36 inches down from 48. My next goal is to, without any type of surgery, to reduce my belly circumference down another 4 inches. I know that belly fat is a function of calories one eats and aging. (I read this on the Internet…at the Mayo Clinic site.) And so my strategy is to, through-out Jim’s Trek III to set goals to gradually reduce the extra belly fat.

And of course one can definitely think about synchronicity when I just got an email from The Daily Meal and the first headline is “10 Ways to Make Your Salad Healthier”. What can I say?

And this morning’s Breaking Bad episode delved into each of the five main characters’ “where-am-I-going-and-what-am-I-going-to-do-next?” themes and plot lines. Five intertwined stories as I follow through into Season 4.

My next installment of The 4400, Welcome to Promise City by Greg Cox reveals that Danny’s body is on ice so-to-speak. But the explanation does not make sense.

And I haven’t thought of what I am going to cook for supper tonight.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 192 – (AD 419) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 21.5 Miles – Where in Florida on My Schwinn 150?

Good Day,

This morning, I got up a wee bit later than normal. I contemplated not cycling this morning…but I know that the end of Jim’s Trek is so near that I got right on my Schwinn 150 and I cycled another 21.5 miles.

This morning I am headed, on my virtual Trek, in a southeasterly direction in the wilds of Florida. I am on FL-267 S/Bloxham Cutoff toward US First Service Rd 354.

Last night I made a casserole of hot dogs and bowtie pasta and I also made a salad of fresh kale. The salad was excellent and oh so easy. I used Dino Kale, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper and parmesan cheese. This is definitely a do-over dish. And the benefits of my supper last night; my morning blood sugar count clocked in at 89.

 

Today I just peeled about 8 dozen dwarf bananas. All have gone into the freezer. I usually add about four frozen dwarf bananas to my smoothie every morning. Extremely easy to make: frozen banana; frozen fruit sometimes blueberries, sometimes strawberries, sometimes pineapple, whatever; a container of yogurt; ice; and water. This is my smoothie.



My viewing pleasure today while I cycled on my Schwinn 150 was the beginning of Season Four of Breaking Bad. And now I understand why the laboratory’s floor is red. Damn! Just watch out for box cutters.


Now I am off to Busch Gardens with the grandkid and family.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 191 – (AD 418) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 22.4 Miles – Still on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

Today I cycled 22.4 miles on my Schwinn 150. This is now day 418 and I have cycled a total of 8,356.6 miles. And yes that is me on the bike.

This morning my 22.4 miles takes me to the east of Hosford, Florida, population near to 650. This place is small. I am still headed in an easterly direction and I am somewhere on FL-20 E.

Not much more to write about today. It is just one of those days. And it could be that my Intellectual Cycle of my biorhythm is at the lowest point of its cycle...no pun intended. I will have to wait until tomorrow as the graph will begin to reverse and edge.

The pleats are being sewn for our new Warhol’s Itch. We have begun the design on a new quilt. This one may be a part of the Hoffman Challenge.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 190 – (AD 417) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 22.1 Miles – Countdown Begun on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

Got off my Schwinn 150. Another 22.1 miles of cycling added to my grand total. Now since December 2, 2012 8,334.2 miles.

This morning I am located on FL-20 E just south of Buzzard Bay and headed towards Willard Smith Road. I am also west of Blountstown, Florida. The countdown really begins as I am now just about 269 miles from my second-to-last Interlake address goal point, my 39th goal.

I was asked if I am planning Jim’s Trek, Part III. I have been. At this point in time on my 417th day of cycling on my Schwinn 150 I know that this cycling bit has become a part of my daily routine. It is now a habit. I may be a wee bit obsessive and my average cycling is now standing at 20.2 miles each time and day.

And I suppose this is the type of day, according to my biorhythm cycles that I need not make any, and I mean, any type of decision.

It does appear that if I were to interpret my chart I truly should stay low for at least the next week and possibly 14 days.

Last night when I got home after doing my Thursday volunteer stint at the Family History Center, I had a craving for a steaming bowl of noodles. I keep a regular supply of Ramen noodle packages in the pantry. I grabbed one with Kimchi flavoring. From the refrigerator I found and added some bok choy, mushrooms, green onions, green peas, and a tuna steak from the freezer...and of course a Scotch Bonnet. Great supper on a cold and wet Tampa winter night. And my blood sugar count this morning registered at 91.

There are some changes of character associations in this morning’s episode of Breaking Bad. I am sure that the writers must certainly enjoy their creation and stream of writing.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 189 – (AD 416) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 21.6 Miles – 8,300 on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

This morning I cycled 21.6 miles on my Schwinn 150. I reached another goal. I have now cycled a total of 8,312.1 miles.

I am headed east on FL-20 E toward Kathy Lane. But not just me, the two cars in front of me and the two cars behind. 

 

It is a Schwinn 150 virtual convoy.

Question -

If we have become more advanced as a people, that is, somewhat more intelligent with what is now available to our minds, why do firms insist on dumbing down and making their advertisements sound more infantile? What is a Hoodie-Footie? Is not the correct English phrase "with hood and footed"? Or at least "hooded and footed?" Everytime I hear this Pyjama-gram ad run on the radio it is akin to my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Davies running her fingernails down the blackboard.  And isn't there some sort of misrepresentation regarding the cat and dog?  Just asking, while I clip my fingernails.


The design of our new endeavor and experiment, Warhol's Itch has been completed. Again this is something very different and new for Andy and me. The construction of this wall hanging and quilt has begun. This should prove to be very interesting.

The construction continues of our new crocheted afghan Glowing. As the work progresses it continues to get a bit larger than just what is deemed to be a throw. We have been adapting the work and the design as the rows are added.

Have you ever had one of those nights that you are trying to sleep and there is a bloody mosquito or a damnable fly buzzing around your head and echoing in your ears? The Breaking Bad episode this morning while I rode my Schwinn 150 was just that. The episode was titled - Fly. And it did appear that that bitch of a fly just would not allow itself to be caught, squished.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim

Day 188 – (AD 415) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 22.2 Miles – My Way Home on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

This morning I cycled another 22.2 miles on my Schwinn 150. I am now 9.5 miles shy of 8,300 miles, 8,290.5. I am still amazed as the miles have added up…and my Schwinn 150 just keeps humming along. No problems, just doing my cycling.

Today I am located on Moss Hill Road, and yes I am still in Florida. I am just about between Horselot Pond and Bear Hammock Lakes. I am headed south towards Spanish Lakes Drive. I now have about 313 more miles left to get to my 39th Interlake address goal point.

I am sure that their school teachers may be cringing at the possible thought that these walking dullards – Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, Michelle Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Paul Ryan, et al are congregating at the 2014 Republican Leadership Conference. Yes, they all appear to have a way of creating a decent financial base…but the problem may be the sheep that just follow.

Here’s my thought. There is a myth that humans use only about 10% of the brain. The 10% is about the size of a sheep’s brain. Sheep have responded well to clicker training. I would tender a thought that the above-mentioned have learned how to use the clicker…well.

Question – Has social media truly become an extension of oneself to others or is it truly a vehicle of just looking in the mirror? I know that it is now a quick and easy way for the transferring of paper to a focused electronic medium. But in truth what does one call social media interaction when it appears that it is a blatant form of narcissism?

Okay so much for my mind today. Last night’s supper was good and in for a definite repeat. Montreal Garlic Ribs, Hassleback Potatoes, and a Salad. My blood sugar points jumped to 101. Must have been the spoon of sauce I ate; brown sugar, Soya sauce, water, garlic, and dry mustard. Each of The Pack were licking the air for some time due to the dollop for each from my finger.


This morning’s companion, Breaking Bad appears to be flexing itself and adding some other and more twists to the current plot lines. As long as there are no commercial breaks I can keep a smooth rhythm while I cycle on my Schwinn 150.


And watching Suits last night I got an idea. Maybe a quilt? Maybe a wall hanging? The wheels of my 20% are clicking.

Be healthy and enjoy, Jim

Day 187 – (AD 413) – Jim's Trek Part II – The Sequel – 22.1 Miles – Follow the Florida Brick Road on My Schwinn 150

Good Day,

At 12:45 am this early morning, just before I decided to go to bed, I set outside with The Pack for their final walk. The fog was thick and the saturated trees were dripping on us that I and each of the mini-canines were confused. No rain, just dripping leaves.

I had not seen fog as thick, especially in Tampa, since I was on the road to Grand Manan, New Brunswick sometime back in 1971. That was the time when a young buck deer jumped out from the roadside, landed on the bonnet, and totaled our late 1960s Toyota Corona Mark II.

And now it is late in the afternoon and I have completed a number of errands, and fix-ups. I did complete my cycling this morning. On my Schwinn 150 I cycled 22.1 miles and I burned 701 calories. I also completed another 100 sit-ups. Still not sure if I'm doing them correctly but they are, whatever they are, getting easier to do. At some point my nose will reach my bended knees.

I am beginning the end of the road…the end of the virtual road, the end of Jim’s Trek, Parts I and II. And will there be a Part III?

Today I am located, according to Google Maps at a point on County Road 10/FL-10 E/US-90 E. I am just about southwest of Westville, Florida and I am still in the Panhandle.

I ran out of episodes of Suits on Amazon Prime last night. I finished Season 2. Season 4 begins on the USA Networks the first part of March. But I was able find season 3 on Bright House Entertainment On Demand. One definitely needs a Google Maps to navigate through the crisscrossing television offerings and shows. There might be one already out there in Internetland but it certainly would make choosing and seeking so much easier.

Okay work continues on three projects – Tampa Kaleidoscope, a king size quilt; Warhol’s Itch, a fabric art piece (i.e., our Warhol’s Marilyn remake); and Glowing (aka A-New), a crocheted afghan. Check with Quilts SB and Afghans SB for updates shortly.

Oh and by the way the YDNA matching thing works. My results matched to the almost highest degree possible with a 1st Cousin at 23andMe. Our matching results are 11.0% shared and 24 segments. I will definitely have to spend some time digesting these results. My next close match is a 1st Cousin, Once Removed, 8.40% shared, 20 segments.

Doing quite well on the diabetes front. My fasting blood sugar was at 92 this morning. Tonight I think I am going to retry some recipes that I always do enjoy, Montreal Dry Garlic Spareribs, Hasselback Potatoes, and a Salad. For dessert I am going to try something new, Banana Fritters. Believe it or not even with this warm snap that we're having in Tampa I do feel like cooking.

Be healthy and enjoy,

Jim