Nah

[NikF]

I've just finished shaving my head and now I'm off to the gym. I always keep myself hydrated and so the excesses of yesterday should have minimal impact, but even if it does it'll pass. There's a Russian/Polish deli I'll have a look in on the way back. Maybe pelmeni or the even more humble vareniki. In either case, a pleasant lesson in humility with butter and mustard. And sometimes quick and easy and cheap and cheerful is the way to go.

[Karl Henning]

I had pan fried fillet of sea bass with salsa verde, roast potatoes and greens.  
And I believe that for an instant, the spirit of Woollcott looked down over the proceedings and struggled to produce even a soupçon of a pithy remark, before sadly shaking his head and evaporating into the ether.

Very nice.

It's been like this for years, but I keep getting Mahler's 9th in my head. That symphony never stops haunting my mind and disturbing my day 

Not so nice.

[Karl Henning]

This was good reading for me, maybe it will be for you:

It's no wonder we sometimes describe stressed-out behavior as "running in circles." It's exhausting — and usually gets us nowhere.

Unchecked stress not only saps energy and productivity, it can affect mental and physical health too. But there are healthy ways to stop spinning — and feel more in control.

Adopt the four A's
For a happier, healthier and more productive approach to stressors, try practicing these four habits:

1. Avoid. It's often the smaller, everyday hassles that wear us down. So figure out what routinely wrecks your calm — and find ways to steer clear if possible.

For instance, if sitting in heavy traffic makes you edgy, take a more scenic route home. Or adjust your schedule, if possible, to miss the worst of it.

2. Alter. Sometimes stressful situations can't be avoided. You can't make the line at the market move faster. But you might give the self-checkout lane a try — or try to pick less rushed times to do your shopping.

When these kinds of annoyances come up, think about what changes you could make to regain control. Here's another example: Maybe long phone calls with a pessimistic loved one leave you drained. Let the person know you only have a few minutes to chat. Set a timer. When it buzzes, it's your cue to go.

3. Adapt. When you can't change a situation, it may be time to change how you respond to it. Sometimes simply shifting your point of view makes problems seem smaller.

Perhaps you're hosting a get-together — and stressing over the details. Try this: Focus on how much you enjoy time with your friends, rather than the need for a perfectly clean home or a magazine-worthy meal.

Or when something upsets you, look at the big picture. Will this matter in a week, a month or even a year? If not, it may not be worth getting worked up over.

4. Accept. There are some big stressors in life that may be out of your hands — such as a serious illness or breakup. It's natural to feel overwhelmed and upset when something like this happens. Sharing how you feel may bring you some peace, even if you can't change the situation.

Look for the silver lining, such as gratitude for the people supporting you through a tough time. Try to let go of negative feelings. That may help give you a sense of comfort and control. It isn't always easy — but even trying might help you feel better.

[NikF]

I'll add this in the light of the last few posts made in this thread. And there's a tl:dr.

After weeks of having my home and the neighbouring properties and part of the main road dug up due to the ground being unstable, we received the all clear. Hooray! That meant I was able to repair the damage done and finally get on with selling my house. But last week it started all over again with excavations of the houses behind ours and has entailed digging up part of our gardens. Boo! My polite, middle-class neighbours are furious. A few of them are behaving with hostility towards the workmen. One was even shaking too much to open his copy of the Daily Mail (Dear Daily Mail, why oh why oh why etc) Certainly, I too want the disturbance and inconvenience to end, but I know there's nothing I can do about it. The situation is unfortunate enough as it is, so why get stressed or angry and make myself feel worse? Ah, I know we all deal with things differently.

No one is forcing me to get stressed or upset or worry about stuff. So if I do get stressed or upset or worried then it's my fault because I'm not in control of myself and my life. And my way of taking responsibility is to man up and stop being a fragile, whining little *bitch. Is the unpleasant situation at hand literally going to kill me? No. So stfu.

Life is unfair. I eat, exercise and rest like an adult, but I know that doesn't entitle me to good health. When I walk along the road I have a "good morning" or a nod or a smile ready for anyone (including cattes and dogges) who I feel might welcome it, but I don't believe anyone is obliged to offer me the same in return. And although I've now only very little of the charm I possessed as a young man I still know what/what not to say to a woman (and back in the glory day there were rare times when me simply saying "Hello" to a girl was enough to make her blush  ) but I accept it's no guarantee that it'll lead to her giving me access to the good stuff. Life is unfair.

Of course, like everyone else I'm not perfect and so sometimes in the space of half a breath there's again the teenage me with the unbridled propensity to deal with someone or something by immediately putting my fist through their face, no questions asked, free of charge, yours to keep with no obligation regardless... But then I breathe out and let it go, because only I can force myself to choke on my own anger.

tl:dr: What I'm saying is, that I've a finite number of years to live and so bollocks to allowing anyone or anything decide how I feel during those years.

There are many methods and approaches to living a good life. I hope everyone finds their own way there too.


* I'm aware that using 'bitch' in this manner is wrong. But as I said, I'm far from perfect.

[Karl Henning]

I'll add this in the light of the last few posts made in this thread. And there's a tl:dr.

After weeks of having my home and the neighbouring properties and part of the main road dug up due to the ground being unstable, we received the all clear. Hooray! That meant I was able to repair the damage done and finally get on with selling my house. But last week it started all over again with excavations of the houses behind ours and has entailed digging up part of our gardens. Boo! My polite, middle-class neighbours are furious. A few of them are behaving with hostility towards the workmen. One was even shaking too much to open his copy of the Daily Mail (Dear Daily Mail, why oh why oh why etc) Certainly, I too want the disturbance and inconvenience to end, but I know there's nothing I can do about it. The situation is unfortunate enough as it is, so why get stressed or angry and make myself feel worse? Ah, I know we all deal with things differently.

No one is forcing me to get stressed or upset or worry about stuff. So if I do get stressed or upset or worried then it's my fault because I'm not in control of myself and my life. And my way of taking responsibility is to man up and stop being a fragile, whining little *bitch. Is the unpleasant situation at hand literally going to kill me? No. So stfu.

Life is unfair. I eat, exercise and rest like an adult, but I know that doesn't entitle me to good health. When I walk along the road I have a "good morning" or a nod or a smile ready for anyone (including cattes and dogges) who I feel might welcome it, but I don't believe anyone is obliged to offer me the same in return. And although I've now only very little of the charm I possessed as a young man I still know what/what not to say to a woman (and back in the glory day there were rare times when me simply saying "Hello" to a girl was enough to make her blush  ) but I accept it's no guarantee that it'll lead to her giving me access to the good stuff. Life is unfair.

Of course, like everyone else I'm not perfect and so sometimes in the space of half a breath there's again the teenage me with the unbridled propensity to deal with someone or something by immediately putting my fist through their face, no questions asked, free of charge, yours to keep with no obligation regardless... But then I breathe out and let it go, because only I can force myself to choke on my own anger.

tl:dr: What I'm saying is, that I've a finite number of years to live and so bollocks to allowing anyone or anything decide how I feel during those years.

There are many methods and approaches to living a good life. I hope everyone finds their own way there too.


* I'm aware that using 'bitch' in this manner is wrong. But as I said, I'm far from perfect.

I enjoyed all that, and no one obliged me to read every last bit, but I did.  Ah, free will, how sweet it is (or, can be . . . .)

[Karl Henning]

I am hungry like the wolf 

Nearby sheep do seem nervous.

[NikF]

I enjoyed all that, and no one obliged me to read every last bit, but I did.  Ah, free will, how sweet it is (or, can be . . . .)

Good stuff. Thanks, k a rl h e nn i ng.

[NikF]

It looks like it's going to rain. If it stays dry any longer I'll take my chances and instead of running sprint intervals around the duck pond in the park I'll trundle into town and the gym where I'll squat and press legs and I can feel it already, God(s) help me. This is because I'm going on a date tonight with a woman my friend Iain referred to as 'a posh bint'. How charming. Anyway, the gym isn't (directly) for her benefit because I like the way it can help make me feel. Also, it's a dinner date and although by that time the post workout pump will have mostly subsided it'll rise again with the combo of food, drink along with the precursor of a few pushups and pullups before leaving the house to meet her.
My somewhat unstructured black linen suit and a palest of pale pink shirt are out and waiting for me to wear with the faint impression of having had a nap in them. And already my shoes have been carefully polished because that's always a date aperitif which is both fulfilling and grounding and so a small pleasure in itself.

[Karl Henning]

Yesterday was a day of non-drama, weather-wise.  The forecast was clear, but a slight chance of showers in the afternoon.  For my commute into Boston, if the weather is clement I like to take the (express) bus, which entails a 10-ish-minute walk from home to the town centre, and a less-than-10-minute (but fully exposed to the elements) walk from the Old State House to the office.  If the weather is threatening, my preferred Plan B (from a variety of options) is to take the Red Line . . . it's a 20-min. drive to the Alewife T Station, the transport itself is no additional cost, and the walk from the Downtown Crossing T Station to the office is partly sheltered.

So on a day when the forecast is iffy, the game is, Which method to select?  Bringing a brolly in case, I chose the walking-&-bus course yesterday, and the chances broke hard in my favor;  never needed to open the accessory.

[NikF]

Yesterday was a day of non-drama, weather-wise.  The forecast was clear, but a slight chance of showers in the afternoon.  For my commute into Boston, if the weather is clement I like to take the (express) bus, which entails a 10-ish-minute walk from home to the town centre, and a less-than-10-minute (but fully exposed to the elements) walk from the Old State House to the office.  If the weather is threatening, my preferred Plan B (from a variety of options) is to take the Red Line . . . it's a 20-min. drive to the Alewife T Station, the transport itself is no additional cost, and the walk from the Downtown Crossing T Station to the office is partly sheltered.

So on a day when the forecast is iffy, the game is, Which method to select?  Bringing a brolly in case, I chose the walking-&-bus course yesterday, and the chances broke hard in my favor;  never needed to open the accessory.

That 20 (in total) minute walk is valuable in the pursuit of good health if taken on a regular basis. But yeah, the weather's a game changer. I don't carry an umbrella but I do have a watchman's cap (as seen in current profile photo) in my pocket.

I've just been told by Google that my usual walk or trundle into town from home is just over one mile, see?


The venue for the BBC SSO is approximately where it says 'George Square' (my studio was just around the corner from there) while the Royal Concert Hall and the RSNO are five minutes further to the North and the gym I use is maybe five minutes south of the square.
I know I'm giving my location away but I don't care because I'll be moving house soon.

You sometimes mention the public library. Do you have far to travel for that?

[Karl Henning]

You sometimes mention the public library. Do you have far to travel for that?

Practically always the North End branch.  There and back to the office is a nice half hour's walk.

[NikF]

Yeah, that's a nice distance for a walk to the library. Weather permitting, of course. Over here the West of Scotland weather will change every five minutes.

[NikF]

This morning I'm going to the gym as early as possible.
Tonight I've a 'Game of Thrones' viewing to attend with my neighbour and her chums. I pointed out that I haven't seen the first two episodes yet, but that's not a problem because "We won't mind watching them again". 

e: and it proved to be one of those early morning relatively quiet workouts when the weights and time both easily fly.

[Karl Henning]

Nice!

[NikF]

I'm going to stretch my legs via an easy run to -



- in total it'll be almost seven miles (9km?) there and back. I plan to use the time to deeply consider such matters as: if I should move to Edinburgh full time, if I should have my gold capped front tooth replaced with something more natural looking/less yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum, attending https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e2pc8g in the company of a charming young woman (redhead, albeit faux) or going alone to hear http://www.rsno.org.uk/concert-listing/concert-information/?c_id=725&action=Read%20More (having never heard it live before), if I should take my desk or buy a new one when I move house, accepting the request of a former colleague to help with their part in a photography project, and what I should buy and cook to eat tonight.

[NikF]

Wednesday. A gym day. Back and biceps day. Only in my case I don't directly train biceps due to the back exercises (chin ups and pull ups, dumbbell rows and barbell rows) hitting them too. Curls are for gymbros. But if you insist on working your arms anyway, concentrate on your triceps because they make up about two thirds of your upper arm and will fill a sleeve nicely when viewed from almost any angle. And talking of sleeves...

...after the gym and food I'm off to continue my search for a brown leather jacket. Something similar to this -



- although there's no way I'll look like *that. Anyway, I've been trying to find such a jacket for a while with no success. So I'm thinking of checking out the import places. If I find one there I can take it elsewhere to have it altered and fitted.

Finally, it's a visit to my solicitor for house sale stuff and then home to stuff spinach and goat cheese and whatever else I can find into some huge portobello mushrooms that are nearing their use by date.

* but in my own way I'll still look good, and sometimes great.

[kishnevi]

Wednesday. A gym day. Back and biceps day. Only in my case I don't directly train biceps due to the back exercises (chin ups and pull ups, dumbbell rows and barbell rows) hitting them too. Curls are for gymbros. But if you insist on working your arms anyway, concentrate on your triceps because they make up about two thirds of your upper arm and will fill a sleeve nicely when viewed from almost any angle. And talking of sleeves...

...after the gym and food I'm off to continue my search for a brown leather jacket. Something similar to this -



- although there's no way I'll look like *that. Anyway, I've been trying to find such a jacket for a while with no success. So I'm thinking of checking out the import places. If I find one there I can take it elsewhere to have it altered and fitted.

Finally, it's a visit to my solicitor for house sale stuff and then home to stuff spinach and goat cheese and whatever else I can find into some huge portobello mushrooms that are nearing their use by date.

* but in my own way I'll still look good, and sometimes great.

Everything comes back into fashion, they say.  But that sort of style has been out of fashion for long enough you might need to stick to second hand shops.  Or estate sales.

TD
Started a new job yesterday.  Fundamentally the same as my old job, but a better commute, hours are not as crazy, and overall stress promises to be much lower.  Main problem will be finding health insurance for myself, but thanks to COBRA*, I should have a year or so to figure that out. I just have to hope Congress figures out how they want to destroy health insurance before then.

*For nonYanks: COBRA is a federal law that allows an employee to keep the health insurance they had through their old employer for up to 18 months, provided they pay the full premium every month.

[Karl Henning]

Huzzah for a better commute, less-crazy hours, and much lower overall stress!  I rejoice with thee 

[NikF]

Everything comes back into fashion, they say.  But that sort of style has been out of fashion for long enough you might need to stick to second hand shops.  Or estate sales.

TD
Started a new job yesterday.  Fundamentally the same as my old job, but a better commute, hours are not as crazy, and overall stress promises to be much lower.  Main problem will be finding health insurance for myself, but thanks to COBRA*, I should have a year or so to figure that out. I just have to hope Congress figures out how they want to destroy health insurance before then.

*For nonYanks: COBRA is a federal law that allows an employee to keep the health insurance they had through their old employer for up to 18 months, provided they pay the full premium every month.

Ah, that's okay, because I've been out of fashion for a long time too. In fact, there's a couple of places we used for wardrobe that had old/retro stuff and I could give them a call.

And congrats on your new job. Sounds good.

[NikF]

This morning I'm going to the park in a more casual frame of mind. On the way I'll buy a pint of milk. It's usually easy to find a vacant bench. And there I think I'll read -

[asin]0811221806[/asin]

Piano Stories by Felisberto Hernandez

- I've no idea what to expect from it, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

On the way back I'll check out the new greengrocer that's been recommended to me. If I get some floury potatoes I can do the cheap and cheerful roast potatoes/onions/thyme thing with a sirloin steak. And green beans. But if I take a nap and wake sans enthusiasm I'll just order a pizza and salad.