Thoughts & Tips for June 2020

Photo by Steve Holden. MORE LIKE THIS!

CURRENT EVENTS

Basically all is well with regards to COVID-19 since the last update. Everyone is healthy. Maximum telework. Virtual school. Social distancing. Major home bodies with home projects in full swing. And a good amount of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) as an escape vice binge watching shows.

The ongoing justice crisis with #blacklivesmatter has left me sad, angry, frustrated, and motivated.  The horrible murder of George Floyd, and the peaceful protests turning violent with illegal rioting and looting have then been exasperated by some in law enforcement using unconscionable illegal force and tactics. And then we have some elected politicians and civil servants make things worse not better. Change must happen: 

• Love your neighbor as yourself -- treat and value others with the dignity, respect, and grace you would like others to show to you.
• Work towards a society based on justice, equality, liberty, and opportunities.
• Condemn and reject at-all-times covert and overt hatred, racism, bigotry, and discrimination.
• Realize and acknowledge that your place in life probably has more positives and privilege, than others who have suffered greatly, and do not have the hope that you have, or feel that their voices have been heard in the past or currently being valued or heard.

Freedom is hard work and not to be taken for granted -- FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

EXERCISE UPDATE

I continue to enjoying my two mornings a week (Tue & Thu) riding this bike trainer while watching YouTube cycling videos using this iPad stand, and listening to audio books or podcasts.  On Sunday mornings I am completing a route around Fletcher Hills that is about 10 miles.  I have noticed that my time to complete the route keeps getting shorter so overall my biking has improved during COVID-19.

So the pool at our house has been open since last month's post.  I am doing mini-laps and training with a DIY bungie-harness setup.  Very nice to be back in the water.  More info here.

I also did pick up a recovery tool that I've been meaning to get -- Theragun recently came out with the mini.  I've only had it for a short time but it has really given me some relief on parts of my left leg that is still giving me some issues since my bulged disc two years ago.

TECHNOLOGY AND TIPS

• If you are a new protester, then you might want to check out these tips from Wired.
• My friend Derek has a long post on what he has learned in transitioning to an Apple Mac OS laptop.
• I recently started drinking Smith Teamaker Portland Breakfast Tea in the morning.  I really enjoy it.

SOME MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS

I have been listening to a lot more music recently.  Here are some suggestions from YouTube:

• Sparks - "Music That You Can Dance To" (official video)
• Dave Brubeck - Take Five
• Ocean Between - Lies (CHVRCHES Cover)
• CHVRCHES - Forever (Separated But Together Version)
• Mad World performed by Curt Smith of Tears For Fears
• Fiat Lux - Blue Emotion
• The Three O'Clock - Jet Fighter
• George Gershwin - Rhapsody In Blue
• Jim Croce - Gunga Din
• Journey - Separate Ways
• Blancmange - The Day Before You Came & Don't Tell Me
• Depeche Mode - New Life
• Howard Jones & Nik Kershaw - Wouldn't It Be Good
• Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing

OTHER TOPICS

• I am prepping for a 9 person David Allen Getting Things Done (GTD) class at work in June but it isn't confirmed yet.  The wheels of purchasing stuff at work have been going slow, and I still don't have digital licenses, but I am told that could change any day now.
• I am still playing at least one day of the week Dungeons & Dragons with some friends online.  The main books that I bought were the: DM Guide, Player Guide, Monster Manual, and DM Screen.  The tools we are using to play online include: Zoom, BeyondD&D, and Roll20.  I am trying out some mapping tools.  More about that next month.

QUOTE I'M THINKING ABOUT

"Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one." - Bruce Lee