Good Morning!

It’s Black Friday, when all the stores look forward to the mass migration of shoppers into their shops and make all their ledgers full of black ink.

Me? Yeah, probably not hitting any stores. I’ve got a ton of studying to do, essays to write, and general knowledge to absorb.

You? I hope it was a wonderful Thanksgiving, that the elastic on your cloths were adequate to the occasion, and your family loving and caring.

Happy Thanksgiving

It is that time of the year where we all get together, argue sports, politics, and for some religion. All three seem to go against the whole notion of being thankful. Right now I am thinking about Tina, who is upstairs sleeping, and who is recovering from a Myelogram procedure she endured yesterday. This is not what she wanted to have happen. She was looking forward to going to her daughter’s home in Brainerd and celebrate Thanksgiving with her family. So was I.

Still, despite the change of plans, I am thankful. I have Tina in my life. She spoils me. And I spoil her. It’s a mutual spoilage relationship. Yes, I know. That doesn’t really sound right. Just go with the content and it makes sense.

Anyway, despite the lack of travel and family time I am still grateful for what I have. And ultimately, love is not always about getting together, eating delicious meals, and wrestling with the grand critters. Not that those are bad things. Actually, they’re quite wonderful. But still, love is also in the heart. It’s in the memories. It’s in the knowledge and understanding that no matter the time spent apart, once together it feels as if there’s been no time apart.

And that is not just with family. It is also with friends. Some of my oldest friendships I formed back in the 80s are like that. So to with recently formed friendships where life changes moved them from my life. Yet they too fill my heart with love.

Sometimes I feel as if I don’t do enough to show just how much I appreciate all my relationships. Words can be so hollow, so inadequate for communicating my feelings of gratitude. Just know that as insignificant as my words may seem, they are meant to convey feelings that exceed my ability to express.

Busy Day

I managed to get through 3 lectures as well as review a chapter and take the quiz. Also, I participated in an online discussion. All in all a productive school day!

May I Have Your Attention Please

The Scorpion and the Frog

A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The frog asks, “How do I know you won’t sting me?” The scorpion says, “Because if I do, I will die too.”

The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp “Why?”

Replies the scorpion: “Its my nature…”

That is all. You may now resume normal cognitive dissident existence.

Just Remembered

Trump breaks all his promises and rarely lives up to his word. All those campaign promises? Yeah, I wonder if he’ll continue to do what he’s always done – renege.

So, This Happened

They put in a new column – well a row actually – in our grades page. Up until today I really didn’t know how I was doing. I was getting the “work of the class” stuff done, with high points. But with the essays, progress quizzes, and the first exam, I figured I was hurting.

Anyway, my grade at this point? A-

Yeah, seriously. A-

The first thing I thought “Okay, who the hell am I, and what did I do with me?”

Think about it a minute, it’ll make sense.

Anyway: Holy Mother Boiling Pot of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, how did I manage an A-? In the past a class like this would have seen me chocking on water.

Again, think about it…..

Geez. An A-

I’m going to go look in the mirror and see if it’s really me in the reflection.

How It Works

15 minutes at a time. I study for 15 minutes, listening to relaxing music. My alarm goes off and I do something completely different for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, when I’ve finished an hour of actual study (sans the breaks) I take at least a half hour or more break before resuming. So far it’s working. I get more done than if I tried to cram everything into my brain without any breaks.

Best Run Ever!

When I first started running back 3 or 4 years ago my goal was to run under a 10 minute mile. However, it soon became apparent that was not going to happen anytime soon, if ever. So, I adjusted my goal to running 4 miles in 45 minutes. Well, I was beginning to think that was not going to happen anytime soon either. Until today when I ran 4.03 miles in 45 minutes and 22 seconds!

Can I hear a “Hell Yeah!?”

Oh, and on top of that I managed to reduce my peak heart rate to 78% of the run. Early in the season I was running at peak heart rate over 90% of my runs, and with a time of 13 to 14 minutes per mile. And my average heart rate was usually between 150 to 160 bpm. Today? An average of 147 with a max of 165.

Again, can I hear a “Hell Yeah!?”

Best Run Ever!