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Day Care for the now 6 month old grandson has turned into a kinda full time job. He demands attention, and because he is an aggressive eater I call him ”Snarky.”

Then I pull up a lot of slack while “Maggie” tries to evolve into a writer.

Never thought that this would be retirement, but basically I’m taking care of others. Then the bossy grand daughter who is 8 1/2, and Maggie’s daughter invade my house.

More picking up from school, and helping others who are struggling.

Maybe this will all end in June. Both parents of the kids are educators: on an assistant principle; the other a special ed teacher.

My complaint, I guess, is that I can’t be such a lazy-slacker, and in retirement I’m actually working pretty hard.

The worse is Maggie who takes on too much and gets frenzied and hysterical. She does this to herself. She is still working on grants which she hates, besides being a “Baby-Hog,” and then also a writer.

Pretty hard to be an artist if you can’t concentrate. I’m fully aware of that, but Maggie is very unrealistic.

Pretty crazy.

Cal
 
I was walking with “Maggie” at Blue Mountain Preserve when someone called out my name.

I was not wearing my glasses, and even close up I did not recognize the person; who ended up being Rob from my local bike shop who is a fit rider in his 70’s.

At the entrance to Blue Mountain is a large horse barn, and I was told by the local framer that basically the horse barn is a photo print studio.

The owner is sponsored by Epson papers, Hanamuele, Canson and also Canon printers. Evidently with Canon he figured out and developed how to print with 4 blacks and Matt and glossy at the same time. This new firmware is now publicly available now.

So I met a printer that is way ahead of me.

Rob just had a show printed that was displayed in Beacon.

Inside I saw at least a half dozen big-boy printers, and a retouching station. This was a 30 second tour and I was welcome to come back. The baby was awake and we had to go.

Interesting to note is the owner of the printing studio says that he knows me. How odd is that?

”I was just minding my own business.

Cal
 
Cal, this is why it is advantageous in life to have many varied interests and some investment in time in each of them. Bethanne and I will frequently be out for a walk or a ride and I’ll see something which will remind me of days past and there will be a sea story attached to it. If it’s a car or a bike or a tool or a camera/lens, or sculpture or whatever, I’ll often have something to say about it. Sometimes there’s a person out with this object and I’ll say hello and “hey that’s a vintage 19xx doodad, I used to work with those” I’ll get in a discussion, sometimes offer some help and sometimes the person associated with the doodad will offer me it and I’ll drag it home. This discussion will always lead to mentioning shared hobbies and then all of a sudden, we’re invited over for a bbq, or I’m given access to a machine shop or wood shop.
Your interaction up at the entrance to Blue Mountain and finding out about the printing shop reminds me how it is to the benefit of us all to have these interests, so we can connect and help each other. It ends up costing us nothing or even net savings simply because we bothered to say “hello, I’m also interested in these doodads and widgets.”
Phil Forrest
 
Spent the day getting antibiotics and treatment for this time a low level Cellutius.

Had a pimple on my right butt cheek that grew into a table spoon sized mound before popping. Mucho puss.

I think not having a bathroom with a showere contributed and added to unsanitary conditions, but know I have dry skin that easily gets inflamed. I’m just glad that I didn’t have to get admitted into a hospital again.

I intend on setting up an appointment for a physical now that I have a PCP. I’m at the point where lotions and moisturizes do little to prevent inflammation.

There are other areas of infection, but they seemed of little concern, while the open wound did.

A wake up call is my blood pressure is high, so cardio exercise is required pronto.

Cal
 
I am prescribe two antibiotics and I kinda need to stay home bound to have a bathroom nearby.

The IV that had Benadryl wore off this morning hives returned. I took a pill Benadryl to take off the edge and to curb the burning sensation. Adding another layer of moisturizing cream does not do what it once did.

I wonder with my B+ blood type (5% of population) if Doctor Adamo’s “Eating Right For Your Blood Type” could cure my dry skin. My dry skin has been a battle for about 15 years, ever since I hit 50. Aging is part of it.

According to Dr. Adamo my blood type evolved in anthropological history when man domesticated and herded animals. There is a personality profile and traits that he draws on. Evidently in Japan on employment applications they ask for blood type and if B+ they are herded into a fast track into management.

B+ is hard wired for assertiveness and aggressiveness and are the leaders and protectors of a group/herd.

The recommended diet for B+ is greasy fatty foods like meat and dairy which kinda suit me well. Kinda funny that I could eat McDonalds every day at work and suffer no ill effects, and in fact my skin got softer. Interesting to note that I remain skinny no matter what I eat.

In support of “Maggie” we eat “clean” and unprocessed foods along the lines of a Mediterranean Diet, but I wonder if this is unhealthy for me?

Know I eat a good amount of cheese and dairy, and consume vast amounts of olive oil. I also eat a lot of nuts.

Doctor Adamo’s profile of B+ rings true for me. Seems like I’m wired for aggression and fighting.

In grade school I beat up the bullies who picked on the weaker kids. For me it was instinct. I kneed this kid Raymond in the balls, and while he was crippled by that blow I kneed him again. I was in third grade.

My daughter was in first grade when she saw some third grade boy picking on and intimidating the smallest girl in her class. She threw the kid on the ground, laid on top of him, and gave him a beating. There is a big difference between a first grader and a third grader. The boy was scared of her.

Story goes that when my daughter was peeled off the boy that she went in for last licks and jumped on top of him again.

The point I am making is somehow this personality profile is innate.

Monday I have to call my PCP and make an appointment for a physical. Not only am I rebuilding/restoring an old house, but I have to restore and rebuild my health.

Kinda funny that what is being suggested is to use a poor diet by AMA standards. Pretty much the ideal diet might be being a carnivore.

Cal

POST SCRIPT: Know that Dr. Adamo’s farther was also a MD, and he used the medical history of his farther’s practice as a focus group to draw his conclusions.
 
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Fact is I have fragile dry skin that is prone to infection. Part of this is aging, and part of it is diet I believe. Who would think the “Supersized” diet that ruined one guys health would be good for me. I did not read the book, but basically a guy ate McDonalds for a year and it had bad health implications for him.

Yesterday I was weakened. Two powerful antibiotics concentrated into a 7 day course. The risk of C-Diff, ruining your Biome, is higher when antibiotic dosage exceeds 7 days it seems.

I am at a point where I really have to take control and take care of myself. I may have to eat Salmon every day for the concentrated fat level. Chicken is too lean, and I’m pretty sure I can get the fat I need to keep my skin hydrated.

Then I have to get on my bike, do trail running, and strength training. I will have to make the time.

This also means that “Maggie” has to also take care of herself. Her frenetic lifestyle at the age of almost 70 worries me. She has to learn to become a “lazy-slacker.” I see changes, but not enough.

At the age of 6 months the grand son has become a less agreeable happy baby. It seems this is when a lot of developmental changes occur and growth spurts happen that are demanding and uncomfortable. In other words the job of daycare got harder. A Godsend will be mild weather that clam him and makes him sleep. Pretty much put him in a stroller for a walk outside,. And it like magic makes him sleep profoundly. Lately I would call him cranky.

So in retirement I’m still making adjustments and still have not settled in. I retired (stopped working) just before Thanksgiving 2021. It has been a bit complicated the transition, and pretty much nothing I planned on actually happened.

Good thing is that I got a lot of the heavy lifting done on the house with some remodeling. Moving forward should be easier and at a more reasonable pace that is more my own, but I need mild spring weather because I’m not going to beat myself up.

Cal
 
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Looks like another bank bailout is on the way with SVB. The 17th largest bank in the U.S. I would not call a “Small-Bank.”

I’m interested in watching the film “The Big Short.” I knew we were in a housing bubble, but lacked a way to profit from it.

It was once stated that the situation is “contained,” but is it? Is there yet another bank in trouble?

Someone from The Big Short fame says this is the “Enron” and that the “Worldcom” moment will happen.

”Its A Wonderful Life” another story built around a “run at the bank.”

We live in a time of high inflation, and the yield curve inversion made the long term holdings of U.S. bonds worth less that led to losses and a lack of liquidity for SVB.

This could happen to yet another bank.

Cal
 
Cal, perhaps your body was building up a reserve of meat tenderizer that was doing wonders for your skin. I read somewhere that bodies decompose more slowly since people started eating a lot of foods with preservatives. You are what you eat it seems.
I can connect you with an expert recumbent bike seller, if you find it hard to sit on your regular bike seat.

Note: Yes it is me, I found out I could change my name!
 
Devil Christian,

It is evident that the Baby-Victorian had a lot of money spent on it. The house is much changed. No longer an inexpensive house.

I have a chubby butt for a skinny guy, and my bike seats still suits me fine. Thanks for the offer though.

I figure what is healthy for one person is looking like poison for me. At one time I tried to go vegan. Had no energy and I got run down. Eventually this lead to a protein deficiency.

This again supports Dr. Adamo’s idea that I should have a high fat/high protein diet because basically I am a carnivore. My physiology is very cat like, lean, fast, and with a high strength to weight ratio. Cat food is very different than dog food.

A lot of my current diet is me basically accommodating “Maggie’s” needs, so another way to frame the situation is before I was feral carnivore, but now I am a domesticated animal.

As for changing your “handle” we already knew you are a clever guy.

I need to be less of a house slug. I got some bikes ready for the milder weather. I need to pump some blood. Have been too sedimentary for about 2 years, I lost a lot of fitness and strength.

I’m going to have to ween some of Maggie’s dependence on me, so I have the time. I have no more time for letting myself go.

Interesting to note that even though I don’t have a book contract, in a ways I am like an editor having to hear chapters and sections of the book read a loud. Out of love perhaps also I pick up, clean up, and support reckless behavior that is enabling.

There are stories of these old guys who ride long and hard every day. I want to be one of those guys.

Cal
 
Btw, I off loaded that dreadful e-bike, and got a city bike that is only moderately less heavy. It has a gates drive belt, and a Nuvinci hub with variable transmission. The hub adds a lot of weight, but it is a very smooth ride. I am also badly out of shape, and need to get more ambitious with my biking. I am figuring out how to strap my cameras to this new bike.
 
I need to execute a Power Clean on the Jersey Barrier. It remains loaded with Piezoflush.

Been a long time since I printed or did any real photography. The stuff I do or did for “Maggie” is not real photography, and it does not present my vision.

Did you know that the life of a Fashion Blogger or Digital influencer is like being on a big hamster wheel that goes nowhere. THe work is endless, the results become unrewarding, and pretty much it becomes solely about money. Very hollow. Eventually burnout happened, and basically that is the backstory of “Maggie’s” book.

Writing I see as a different kind of trap. You either write for yourself, or for an audience. One way is being obscure or small to stay under the radar; the other involves a rather elite gated community that manages your writing.

I’m very clear that I have no need for fame, recognition, or even any financial gain. “Maggie” is building a different platform.

So I can see me demanding riding every day, and if I miss a day, that I can go for one of my all day tours. What I need right now to restore my health is “long slow distance” which is basically rebuilding my base which deteriorated and was destroyed by all the contracted work, the work that had to get done, and of course Covid.

This is more along the retirement I planned.

Cal
 
Yeah, and covid didn't help. We went to chasing crocodiles in Mexico in January. It was action but not enough to add meaningful muscle mass.
 
Covid and the pandemic took down fitness levels understandably. The big deal is not to slide for too long and to have a plan to recover.

For many I think a pivot and a conscious choice has to be made. The health effects I think will be polarizing, just like income and politics in our society.

Cal
 
I've got two more bike projects on the burners now.
First is my 1981 Miyata 610 which is in the stand and going to get a full overhaul. This bike will be worked on in stages while I use it to commute in good weather. After overhauling the BB, I'll install the "new" (to me) Suntour Superbe idiosyncratic crankset with different length arms to make up for my leg length discrepancy. I used to train and race using a pair of Sidi Genius shoes with a thick nylon spacer that I hand-fit to be perfect for me. The spacer was a corner of an old cutting board that I got from my local second-hand store for $1.
Anyway, I don't need to be riding around in racing shoes anymore. If I get a hankering to use the clipless pedals, I'll just change a crankarm and stick on the other pedals. For regular duty, the Miyata will be sporting a set of Suntour Superbe pedals as well.
It will get a new chain and I'm going to re-gear my freewheel since my chainrings are going from 53/38 to 51/42. I don't need to be going super fast so my small tooth will be 14 and the large I think a 26, maybe 28. The rear derailleur is a Cyclone GT, so it can handle 32 for "alpine" gearing if I want.
I have a decent stash of Suntour New Winner freewheels and spacers. These freewheels were approved by Suntour (and recommended by most builders) for tandem use, so I'll probably never kill them all. I once blew up a Regina Oro 6 speed freewheel right outside Manayunk on my way to Valley Forge on the Schuylkill path. I digress...
So the Miyata will get a new drivetrain and new pedals at first, I'll ride during the daylight hours, but eventually I'll build a new wheelset with a dynamo hub to push power to a set of lights. I've gotten spoiled by my touring Univega with a SON Edelux II headlight and a B&M taillight, so I want a similar setup on my Miyata. Most of my other bikes have dynamo front hubs and B&M lights, which I feel are indispensable now. A huge safety upgrade for riding in the city.
The other project hasn't arrived yet but is over at my friend's house still. It's the 1992 (possibly 1991) Breezer Lightning.
I'm sticking a set of Magura hydraulic rim brakes on it and at first I'll be rolling on a set of wheels I used to commute on; front is a Suntour XC Comp hub laced to a WTB Maverick rim, rear is a Sturmey Archer Kickback (freewheel) S2 hub laced to a matching rim. Shifting will be handled by the greatest shifters ever made, the Shimano XTII 7 speed top-mount thumbshifters.
What I'll build up for wheels to use full-time is in question. I've got the hankering to be different and use a set of NOS Suntour XC Pro hubs with freewheel threading, then just use one of my New Winner freewheels. It was the Suntour Ultra spaced 7 speed that set the 5mm spacing for the entire index shifting industry, so a 6 or 7 speed Ultra spaced freewheel will shift perfectly with my XT shifters. The key to indexing is to use the same brand for shifter and rear derailleur, so the cable pull rate is the same. Once mixing and matching start to happen, things get weird, but can be made to work.
Anyway, the only risk of using a freewheel on a mountain bike is the drive side bearing is well inboard and impacts can bend axles. Granted, I've never bent an axle using a compact New Winner. I did bend a Campagnolo Record axle when running a Sachs 8 speed freewheel, but that was crazy. a 135mm OLD spaced freewheel hub and 8 speed cluster is just asking for trouble. I think I can stick with 120 - 126mm OLD and run a 6 speed in the rear.
If I don't do that, I'll go with Shimano, but I'll have to purchase a set of used hubs, which I don't really want to do. I don't like lacing up hubs a second or third or fourth time, even though I know I'll probably not break them. There's just that itch in the back of my mind knowing that a previously tensioned spoke created a stress riser for every single spoke and the hub flange is weaker, in theory. Anyway, that's how I'm thinking for the scheme of the Breezer.
I also have this wild notion of making it a single-speed with a flip-flop hub and using it to get into technical trials riding....

Phil Forrest
 
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