Look at the date. Time is flying so fast. New Years Day seems like it was just half a week ago. I actually do have a resolution, though informal, to stick to my workout schedule. It is just to keep my muscle tone good enough to keep my old skeleton from disassembling and keep my lower back aligned properly, and not to chisel my pecs, or whatever. Funny, though, how a commitment of minutes, really, per day can be so inconvenient. As if taking away from precious time spent staring at the wall is going to be a hardship.
Not to even think about establishing a theme for this blog (that would be a drag) but one of the things I have found in retirement is that the more free time you have, the less you can get accomplished. When I was a telephone company repair person, we thought nothing of fixing a line at the airport in the morning, and then driving 40 miles to pick something up across town, maybe then work a couple of trouble tickets before lunch. Oh, and coffee breaks. Now, I get frightened and confused if I have to do two things in one day. "What? I have to go to the store AAANNNNNDD the post office???!!!!"
This is because I need to somehow transport a used motorcycle (Suzuki SV650) to a point 100 miles south so the dealer can fix the brakes. Yesterday I spent some time experimenting with how to dress to ride a motorcycle when it's 35 degrees outside. Here is the list of clothing items which when combined seemed to work:
Boots/socks,
t-shirt,
long johns,
jeans,
flannel shirt,
sweater,
bib overalls,
wool scarf,
one rather snug fitting leather jacket,
another, roomier, leather jacket which also has a "thinsulate®" liner,
gloves,
something called a balaclava,
helmet with face shield.
I rather like the two leather jackets. Except for some air infiltration through the collars and zippers, this is a real good way to cut the wind, although a little cumbersome. However, as a bonus, should I elect to pull into a biker bar parking lot and accidentally knock all the motorcycles over like a row of dominoes (you've all seen the movie) I can, in the ensuing ass-kicking, just kind of roll myself into a ball and wait it out.
Anyway, I finally realized that it's one thing to dress to go out walking, or working, and another to basically just sit in a 50MPH wind for two hours. Oh yeah, that's the other thing: no, don't go 70 MPH.
An old friend is in the hospital recovering nicely from an emergency surgery. He was my best friend in grade school after we met while he and his little sister were climbing a tree behind my house the summer before the third grade, and we have stayed in contact, more or less, since then, and we both carry memories and secrets that will die with us. He is in Minnesota now. So, starting with New Years Eve, we have been texting back and forth. That's what I did for New Years Eve, as a matter of fact. Fitting, really. At least sometimes, it seems like there are no new years.
I did a road trip on the back of a motorcycle one summer (summer!), and was shocked how cold it was, even buffetted by another person's larger body. I gave up any pretense of fashion and wore all the few clothes I had all at the same time. I was still cold.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
I haven't even done my New Year I Ching yet. I'm still digging my way out from under the perpetual pile on the table that was supposed to remain at all times clear so I'd have a place to work.
ReplyDeleteI haven't gone back to the gym yet and am not worrying about it much until Sharon returns to school. Just keeping my emotions on an even keel is enough for these first few weeks. Had a bit of a setback this morning but got through it OK. The motorcycle clothing plan sounds very sensible!
ReplyDeleteThat last sentence is awesome.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely true that you get less done the more time you have, at least for me. I'm too lazy to do anything except when I'm in too much of a hurry to think about it. If there's plenty of time, why wouldn't I just read a book and do it later then?
I have a feeling, Kristiana, that there is appropriate garb out there for motorcycle riding, for a price. I was told about electric gloves and jackets the other day, of course at first making me think of Elton John, but it's probably great for visibility? Asha, I await your I Ching reading. I will do mine if you help me interpret it. But I want specifics, names, phone numbers, the like.
ReplyDeleteA smooth, warm new year to us, Paula. Thank you, Teacake. I love it when I write something that makes sense and then stops. And I'm having trouble with time, not so much the lack of it but the indeterminate amount available for procrastinative purposes.