Tag: Health

2018 – Time For Some New Year’s Resolutions

Blood Sugar Average Chart for Dec. 2017

Okay, here we go. The new year is upon us and it is time to do what many, many, many people do – make my New Year’s Resolutions. As I was searching for an image to use for this post, instead I found this article from lifehack.org – 50 New Year’s Resolution Ideas And How To Achieve Each Of Them. Nearly all the items I thought of for my resolutions are on this list. The only one that isn’t is my number one resolution. So here is my list of resolutions for 2018. Like most people, the odds are against me sticking with all of them, but I’m going to try harder this year than I have in the past.

  1. Publish at least once a week on this blog: Yes, this is my number one resolution and it’s the only one not on the lifehack list, although it kind of is. Number 49 on the list is Start writing a book/journal. No, this blog isn’t a book nor does it qualify as my journal, but the idea of either is to write, which is what this blog is about and what I intend to do. This is post number one, so it’s a good start.
  2. Get healthier: For my second resolution, I’m combining several different ones from the list. As you can tell by the graphic above, my blood sugar averages for December are awful. This is important to me because I’m a diabetic. If you’re not, the chart probably doesn’t mean much to you, but for a diabetic it can mean life or death. Reigning in my blood sugar is part of my overall resolution to get healthier by healthier eating, more exercise, more and better sleep, and giving up cigarettes. For many people, it’s not easy to do any of these regularly, but again, I am determined to do better in 2018.
  3. Watch less TV and read more: For this item on my resolution list, I combined a couple of resolutions that were listed separately on the lifehack list. Like many people, I watch a lot of TV – in fact I watch too much. I used to be a very avid reader that more often that not had my face buried in a book. Over the years, that changed, and in my opinion, for the worse. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with watching TV, but it should be in moderation. In my case, 8 to 10 hours a day was entirely too much. So, I’m going back to the life I used to lead – the life of a voracious reader. Because I own a Kindle, and because there are thousands of books that can be downloaded for free, I am currently reading a collection of Sherlock Holmes novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
  4. Learn more about art, music, culture etc.: I’m fortunate in that I have a pretty decent education. Over the years I’ve taken classes and read and studied many subjects on my own, so I feel pretty knowledgeable about a lot of things. One of my biggest shortcomings though is what many of us consider “cultural” works. For example, I’ve never been to the opera or the ballet. I don’t understand a lot about art. These are the things that I intend to start experiencing in 2018, and I’m busy searching for the first one to attend this month.
  5. Earn more money: Like most people, I can always use more money. I am retired now, so I can’t get a pay raise or a bonus at work. I’m not looking for a job, either. My extra money is going to come from working from home in a couple of different endeavors, but those are for later posts or posts in another web site or blog I am working on.

So there you have it. These are my five resolutions for 2018. I hope you made yours as well and I wish you much success in achieving them.

Hardcore 1970’s Blues

Album Covers - Wet Willie Band and J. Geils Band
Album Covers – Wet Willie Band and J. Geils Band

I’ve read a few things about distraction free writing. In fact, WordPress offers a toolbar option for distraction free writing, which I am using now to write this. As long as my PC is connected to the internet and my brain is even half-working, I’m going to get distracted. Like yesterday, which led to this post. Here is what happened.

Yesterday morning I decided to listen to Wet Willie and J. Geils as I tried to finish some overdue paperwork. As I listened and worked, I decided to write a post to share a couple of songs from these two bands. As I started writing, I searched Google to verify where Wet Willie hailed from. In doing so, I found out from their web site that they are still together, recording and touring. Wow! Next I checked their touring schedule and saw their next date this year was October 9 at a venue in AR. I mapped the venue location and driving directions from my home; then started scheming how to go see them. That is how I got distracted just within a couple of hours on Wednesday. Here are a couple of cuts; one from each band’s seminal live album.

First up is the Wet Willie Band performing Macon Hambone Blues from their 1973 live album “Drippin’ Wet,” recorded in New Orleans, LA. This is one of the finest live recordings ever produced.

 

Next up is Serves You Right to Suffer, from J. Geils Band’s “Live, Full House.”

 

 

Then, later in the day, I had a major distraction. I blacked out in my garage, fell and hurt a bunch of me. My wife took me to the ER, who in turn admitted me for at least an overnight stay. As I prepare to publish this, that is where I am. Piled up in a hospital bed, waiting to find out what is next.

Songs Yet Sung – Verse From a Drug Addled Mind | Let’s Set The Record Straight

NaWritePoemsInApril Logo

In a previous post, I discussed my failure to get on track with NaPoWriMo, so I decided to create my own challenge for myself. Well, here it is, complete with my very own fancy-schmancy logo for my very own challenge. And here is poem number one – so five more to go, since I set my goal as six by the end of April. Enjoy.

Let’s Set The Record Straight

 

Let’s set the record straight. The drug addled mind

Is mine of course. It’s all quite legit.

Don’t think I’m a junkie, there is no abuse.

One doc wrote this script, another the others,

One pill now, another later, take two at bedtime,

And take all the blue ones, make sure that you finish,

Then quit.

 

So no need to worry, no pause for concern.

No meat wagon needed, my heart’s still tickin’

And if you please and you’ll be so kind,

Don’t call the police, no need at this time.

The pills won’t fix me, just help me feel better

When pain racks these bones, I’ll take one more.

Then quit.

 

These songs; they’re only words searching

For rhythm and timing, a hum or a whistle,

A catchy good chorus sung by the Angels

A guitar, a sitar, Entwistle on bass.

In these words are my songs, yet to be sung.

When I sing them, if I sing them, I’ll be happy

Then quit.

 

So, I’ve said it already, but just to be clear

Let the record be straight, let there be no confusion.

The mind that’s quite addled and “Dazed and Confused”

Thanks much Jim and Robert for singing the blues.

This mind is okay, not doing that bad;

Just works kinda slow and sometimes shuts down

So, I’ll have one more white one for this drug addled brain

Don’t fret, please don’t worry, don’t have you a fit

I’ll just have this last one, maybe one more.

Then quit.

A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.